Official NATO statements or verified news reports

Sweden Seeks Chinese Ship 'Yi Peng 3' in Baltic Cable Sabotage Probe; NATO Warships Surround Vessel

Nov 27, 2024, 02:51 PM

Swedish authorities have requested that the 225-meter Chinese bulk carrier Yi Peng 3 move into Swedish waters to assist in an investigation into the recent damage of undersea fiber-optic cables in the Baltic Sea. The cables, which connect Sweden to Lithuania and Finland to Germany, were found severed within 24 hours on November 17 and 18. Investigators suspect that the Yi Peng 3, which was transporting Russian fertilizer and departed from a Russian port, deliberately dragged its anchor along the seabed for over 100 miles, cutting the cables. The ship reportedly went dark during the incident, turning off its transponders. There are suspicions that the operation may have been orchestrated by Russia, and the ship's captain is Russian. NATO warships have surrounded the vessel, currently anchored off the Danish coast, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has agreed with Sweden's request to move the ship to Swedish waters. Swedish prosecutors have launched a preliminary investigation, and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has stated that Sweden has been in contact with China and has requested the ship's cooperation to understand what happened with the undersea cables. This incident highlights concerns over the security of critical undersea infrastructure in the region.