Danish Navy Boards Yi Peng 3, Chinese Bulk Carrier with Russian Captain, Suspected in Baltic Sea Cable Sabotage

Nov 20, 2024, 09:26 AM

The Chinese bulk carrier Yi Peng 3 is under scrutiny for its suspected involvement in the severing of two undersea telecom cables in the Baltic Sea, connecting Finland to Germany and Sweden to Lithuania. The vessel, captained by a Russian citizen, was on its way from the Russian port of Ust-Luga to Port Said in Egypt when it passed close to both cables around the time they were cut. The Danish Navy, including vessels like the Danish Navy Patrol P523, HDMS Rota (P525), and Y311 Søløven, has been actively shadowing the Yi Peng 3. Three Danish naval vessels converged on the ship, and it has now been boarded by the Danish Navy vessel Y311 Søløven. The incident has prompted investigations by several Baltic Sea countries, with Germany classifying it as sabotage, Sweden also considering it sabotage, and Lithuania labeling it as terrorism. The Danish military has confirmed their presence near the Yi Peng 3 but has not provided further comments on the ongoing situation.