Finland suspects Russia is responsible for the damage to the gas pipeline and telephone cable connecting the country to Estonia.
- Finnish defense sources said the government suspected Russia of being involved.
- Russia has a history of interfering in northern waters
- Finland is one of the new members of NATO
Finland suspects Russia of being behind damage to a major gas pipeline and telephone cable to neighboring Estonia, insiders have claimed.
Finnish authorities expect the Baltic Connector gas pipeline, along with its sister telephone cable, to be out of service for months after discovering they had been damaged on October 8.
Although no official cause has yet been announced, Finnish defense sources told the Iltalehti newspaper that from the start of their investigation the government considered it possible that Russia had sabotaged the key pipeline.
Finnish President Sauli Niinistö said in a statement: “It is likely that the damage to the 150 km long gas pipeline and communications cable was the result of external activity.”
He said Finland was cooperating with Estonia to investigate the root of the problem, adding that he had spoken with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who said on X, formerly Twitter: “NATO shares information and stands ready to support relevant allies.”
94-mile-long pipeline supplies a third of Finland’s gas demand
The pipeline can transport up to 2.6 billion cubic meters of natural gas each year
Finnish defense sources said the government had considered the possibility of Russian interference from the start.
Finnish President Sauli Niinistö (pictured) said the pipelines and telephone cable had been damaged by external interference.
Several other countries also announced their support for Finland and Estonia.
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström said: “Sweden stands with our Nordic and Baltic colleagues and is ready to offer any assistance regarding the damage to underwater infrastructure. »
And Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs said he was “very concerned by reports that the damage to the gas pipeline and data cable between Finland and Estonia was caused by external activity.”
“I look forward to the results of the investigation.” he added.
The pipeline is capable of transporting up to 2.6 billion cubic meters of natural gas each year, enough to meet a third of Finland’s gas demand.
Relations between Finland, one of NATO’s newest members, and Russia are tense.
Earlier this year, Finland expelled nine Russian diplomats from the country for allegedly working with Russian intelligence services.
And last year, it was reported that the Finnish and Swedish navies were stepping up their preparations if Russia decided to attack either of their energy networks.
Russian submarines and “research vessels,” believed to be used to conceal espionage activities, are often seen off the coast of Finland.
As recently as August, Finns living on the coast of the Hanko Peninsula were able to take photos of a Russian submarine lurking in the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea.
Russia is known for sending spy ships to northern waters
A spy ship has been seen with armed, masked soldiers.
Espionage activities reportedly undertaken by Russian vessels include mapping offshore wind turbines, undersea cables and other key infrastructure.
Espionage activities reportedly undertaken by Russian vessels include mapping offshore wind turbines, undersea cables and other key infrastructure.
An investigation by public broadcasters in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland found that the Kremlin often deployed “ghost ships” to map areas likely to be disruptive.
Up to 50 suspected Russian spy ships have been identified sailing in Nordic waters. A ship was seen with armed soldiers.
Nils Andreas Stensones, head of Norway’s intelligence service, told media that the alleged spying program was considered “very important” to Russia and was likely controlled directly from Moscow.
