| Date: 20 November 2024 | |
| Location: Baltic Sea | |
Incident Details
On 17/18 November, two undersea telecommunication cables, the BCS and the C-Lion1, connecting Germany with Finland and Lithuania with Sweden, were cut in the Baltic Sea. At the time of the cables being cut, a bulk carrier passed over the cables when travelling from the Russian port of Ust-Luga towards Danish territorial waters and is currently being detained while investigations are carried out.
Fig1. Vessel Transit Route and Location of Incidents (TeleGeography)
Comment. It is estimated that over 100 undersea cables are damaged globally each year. In most instances, the damage is accidentally caused by ship anchors, trawling and subsea seismic activity. However, instances of intentional sabotage are well – documented and relatively simple to execute. In September 2024, the US Government published a report highlighting increased Russian military activity around vital undersea cables critical for Western communications and financial transactions. The report additionally stated that there may be covert Russian military assets in place that are dedicated to the underwater sabotage of these cables. With undersea cable networks carrying 99% of global communications, they are a critical component of national and international infrastructure that is vital to the global economy. In October 2023, Finnish authorities suspected Russian involvement when the Baltic-connector gas pipeline and a telecommunication cable where damaged in the Baltic Sea.
Assessment. In June 2023, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev stated there was no reason for Moscow not to destroy its enemies’ undersea communication cables given what he said was Western complicity in the Nord Stream pipeline blasts. Hybrid warfare uses an indirect method of targeting an adversary, and with plausible deniability, there is a reduced chance of military retaliation. This trend is likely to continue with critical infrastructure continuing to be being attacked as a demonstration of force. Denial of service activity affects everyday business. To maintain supply chains, communications, and even routine day-to-day business, it is worthwhile ensuring your business continuity plan is up to date and has been stress tested to ensure it works. With global instability on the increase and stories of critical infrastructure under attack a regular headline in the news, it makes sense that your company is business continuity and resilience savvy.
