European investigators believe that a Chinese commercial ship intentionally damaged two crucial data cables by dragging its anchor, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. The ship, which had just left Russia with Russian fertilizer, allegedly committed the act while crossing the Baltic Sea. Despite suspicions of Russian involvement, the Chinese government is not believed to be connected to the incident, with the Kremlin denying any accusations.
Investigation Challenges and Suspicions
The investigation faces obstacles, as NATO countries lack the legal authority to detain the Chinese ship. Swedish and German officials are currently in talks with the ship’s owner to access the vessel and its crew. German police have even deployed drones to survey the damaged cables and seabed. This incident is just one of several this year where European authorities suspect Russia of targeting critical infrastructure. However, proving sabotage is a challenging task, leading officials to refrain from making direct accusations.
