Latest news with #Vezhen
Newsweek
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Russia Accuses UK of Sabotage Plans With US In 'NATO Lake'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Russia has accused the U.K. of working with Ukraine in a plan to stage provocations involving a U.S. ship in the Baltic Sea. In a statement on Monday, Russia's foreign intelligence service (SVR) said it knew of a plot to escalate the conflict in Ukraine with an operation in what is termed a "NATO Lake" due to its location surrounded by alliance members. The statement provided no evidence for its claims and Moscow is often accused of pushing misinformation as a cover for its own activities. It comes as Nichita Gurcov, senior analyst for Europe & Central Asia with ACLED (Armed Conflict Location & Event Data) told Newsweek suspected Russian destabilization activities appear to be picking up again across Europe following a lull earlier in 2025. Newsweek has contacted the UK Foreign Office, the Ukrainian foreign ministry and the Pentagon for comment. This image from January 27, 2025 shows the cargo ship Vezhen outside Karlskrona, Sweden where it was seized on suspicion of sabotaging a fibre-optic cable in the Baltic Sea after the Malta-registered vessel sailed from... This image from January 27, 2025 shows the cargo ship Vezhen outside Karlskrona, Sweden where it was seized on suspicion of sabotaging a fibre-optic cable in the Baltic Sea after the Malta-registered vessel sailed from Russia. MoreWhy It Matters The Baltic Sea has been dubbed the "NATO Lake" following the accession to the alliance of Sweden and Finland. Countries surrounding the body of water have accused Moscow of increasing sabotage acts in the region, and the warning by Russian intelligence could prompt concerns about further acts of aggression. What To Know The statement by Russian intelligence on Monday said the government of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky intends to increase sabotage and terrorist activity against Russia to reverse problems faced by Kyiv's forces on the battlefield and counter war fatigue among the Ukrainian population. The statement said coordinated operations by Kyiv and its allies were behind attacks on railways in Russia's Bryansk and Kursk regions, as well as Ukraine's drone strikes on Russian airfields on June 1, dubbed Operation Spiderweb. Kyiv's upcoming plans, according to Russian intelligence, are to escalate the Ukrainian conflict, disrupt Russian-American negotiations and convince the White House of further military assistance to Kyiv. The SVR also said that the Security Service of Ukraine and the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense had been tasked with European special services "to intensify the preparation of a series of new bloody provocations." One proposed scenario would involve a Ukrainian-led plan to stage an alleged Russian torpedo attack on an unnamed U.S. Navy ship, which would explode at a "safe distance" and be blamed on Moscow. Another scenario would be a plan by Ukraine and the U.K. to work with unspecified northern European countries to find Russian-made anchor mines in the Baltic Sea, which they could blame Moscow for trying to sabotage international sea routes. The SVR statement gave no evidence for its claims, but it may raise concerns about Moscow's own intentions in the region. Ilja Iljin, a deputy commander of Finland's coast guard, told Politico in April the Baltic Sea has registered at least six suspected sabotage incidents since 2022, with 11 known undersea cables taken out since 2023 and tankers linked to Moscow accused of involvement. Meanwhile, Gurcov from ACLED told Newsweek Russian attempts at destabilization and targeting of countries supporting Ukraine had dropped earlier in 2025, possibly connected to Russian testing of the U.S.'s diplomatic pressure on Ukraine and its allies. But following this lull, there has been an increase in suspected Russian destabilization activities across Europe, which include incidents in the Baltic Sea. They also comprise arson and foiled sabotage plots. What People Are Saying Armed Conflict Location & Event Data ACLED told Newsweek it recorded "at least seven incidents in May, including arson and foiled sabotage plots, in addition to increased tensions in the Baltic Sea." ACLED's analyst Nichita Gurcov said "as Ukrainian drones continue to strike deep into Russian territory, this increase in events is very likely to continue." Russia's foreign intelligence service (SVR): "(Kyiv) has become the perfect executor of vile provocations and terrorist attacks on behalf of 'perfidious Albion and happily do its dirty work." What Happens Next The Baltic Sea region is likely to remain on high alert for sabotage after a string of outages of power cables, gas pipelines, and telecoms. Gurcov said that an increase in Russian sabotage events in Europe "is very likely to continue," following what appears to be a loss of interest by the U.S. in negotiating an end to the war and as Ukrainian drones continue to strike into Russian territory.
Japan Times
25-02-2025
- Japan Times
Damage to Baltic Sea telecoms cable may have occurred in January
STOCKHOLM – Finland's telecoms operator said on Monday that the damage reported last week to its C-Lion1 telecoms cable in the Baltic Sea may have occurred as early as Jan. 26, the same day a cargo ship broke another undersea cable in the area. Swedish and Finnish police said on Friday they were investigating a suspected case of sabotage of the C-Lion1 cable running along the seabed from Finland to Germany, while adding it was not immediately clear when the damage had occurred. The Baltic Sea region is on alert and the NATO alliance has boosted its presence after a series of power cable, telecom and gas pipeline outages since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Most have been caused by civilian ships dragging their anchors. Operator Cinia said in an emailed statement on Monday that it believed the damage of the C-Lion1 had occurred on Jan. 26 at 2:37 a.m. Finnish time (00:37 GMT) and that the cause was still unknown. The time closely coincides with that of an outage of a nearby subsea fiber-optic cable linking Sweden and Latvia, which was reported at the time. A Swedish prosecutor said on Feb. 3 he had concluded that a Maltese-flagged bulk carrier, the Vezhen, had ruptured the cable linking Sweden and Latvia with its anchor, but that it had been an accident and not sabotage. The Vezhen passed the Sweden-Latvia cable at 0045 GMT on Jan. 26, MarineTraffic data showed. Swedish police did not immediately respond to a request for comment when contacted on Monday. Bulgarian shipping company Navigation Maritime Bulgare, which lists the Vezhen among its fleet, also did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.
Globe and Mail
24-02-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Damage to Baltic Sea telecoms cable may have occurred in January, Finland's operator says
Finland's telecoms operator said on Monday that the damage reported last week to its C-Lion1 telecoms cable in the Baltic Sea may have occurred as early as Jan. 26, the same day a cargo ship broke another undersea cable in the area. Swedish and Finnish police said on Friday they were investigating a suspected case of sabotage of the C-Lion1 cable running along the seabed from Finland to Germany, while adding it was not immediately clear when the damage had occurred. The Baltic Sea region is on alert and the NATO alliance has boosted its presence after a series of power cable, telecom and gas pipeline outages since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Most have been caused by civilian ships dragging their anchors. Operator Cinia said in an emailed statement on Monday that it believed the damage of the C-Lion1 had occurred on January 26 at 0237 a.m. Finnish time (0037 GMT) and that the cause was still unknown. The time closely coincides with that of an outage of a nearby subsea fibre optic cable linking Sweden and Latvia, which was reported at the time. A Swedish prosecutor said on February 3 he had concluded that a Maltese-flagged bulk carrier, the Vezhen, had ruptured the cable linking Sweden and Latvia with its anchor, but that it had been an accident and not sabotage. The Vezhen passed the Sweden-Latvia cable at 0045 GMT on Jan. 26, MarineTraffic data analyzed by Reuters showed. Swedish police did not immediately respond to a request for comment when contacted by Reuters on Monday. Bulgarian shipping company Navigation Maritime Bulgare, which lists the Vezhen among its fleet, also did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Damage to Baltic Sea telecoms cable may have occurred in January, operator says
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Finland's telecoms operator said on Monday that the damage reported last week to its C-Lion1 telecoms cable in the Baltic Sea may have occurred as early as January 26, the same day a cargo ship broke another undersea cable in the area. Swedish and Finnish police said on Friday they were investigating a suspected case of sabotage of the C-Lion1 cable running along the seabed from Finland to Germany, while adding it was not immediately clear when the damage had occurred. The Baltic Sea region is on alert and the NATO alliance has boosted its presence after a series of power cable, telecom and gas pipeline outages since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Most have been caused by civilian ships dragging their anchors. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Operator Cinia said in an emailed statement on Monday that it believed the damage of the C-Lion1 had occurred on January 26 at 0237 a.m. Finnish time (0037 GMT) and that the cause was still unknown. The time closely coincides with that of an outage of a nearby subsea fibre optic cable linking Sweden and Latvia, which was reported at the time. A Swedish prosecutor said on February 3 he had concluded that a Maltese-flagged bulk carrier, the Vezhen, had ruptured the cable linking Sweden and Latvia with its anchor, but that it had been an accident and not sabotage. The Vezhen passed the Sweden-Latvia cable at 0045 GMT on January 26, MarineTraffic data analysed by Reuters showed. Swedish police did not immediately respond to a request for comment when contacted by Reuters on Monday. Bulgarian shipping company Navigation Maritime Bulgare, which lists the Vezhen among its fleet, also did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.
Reuters
24-02-2025
- General
- Reuters
Damage to Baltic Sea telecoms cable may have occurred in January, operator says
Summary Companies Police launched investigation of cable damage on Friday Operator says damage may have occurred on January 26 Coincides with a previous breach that was ruled accidental Vessels dragging anchors have damaged infrastructure STOCKHOLM, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Finland's telecoms operator said on Monday that the damage reported last week to its C-Lion1 telecoms cable in the Baltic Sea may have occurred as early as January 26, the same day a cargo ship broke another undersea cable in the area. Swedish and Finnish police said on Friday they were investigating a suspected case of sabotage of the C-Lion1 cable running along the seabed from Finland to Germany, while adding it was not immediately clear when the damage had occurred. The Baltic Sea region is on alert and the NATO alliance has boosted its presence after a series of power cable, telecom and gas pipeline outages since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Most have been caused by civilian ships dragging their anchors. Operator Cinia said in an emailed statement on Monday that it believed the damage of the C-Lion1 had occurred on January 26 at 0237 a.m. Finnish time (0037 GMT) and that the cause was still unknown. The time closely coincides with that of an outage of a nearby subsea fibre optic cable linking Sweden and Latvia, which was reported at the time. A Swedish prosecutor said on February 3 he had concluded that a Maltese-flagged bulk carrier, the Vezhen, had ruptured the cable linking Sweden and Latvia with its anchor, but that it had been an accident and not sabotage. The Vezhen passed the Sweden-Latvia cable at 0045 GMT on January 26, MarineTraffic data analysed by Reuters showed. Swedish police did not immediately respond to a request for comment when contacted by Reuters on Monday. Bulgarian shipping company Navigation Maritime Bulgare, which lists the Vezhen among its fleet, also did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.
