Data cables severed in Baltic Sea prompt accusations of sabotage from Germany
In a series of recent events, Europe has been witnessing an escalation of tensions, with several significant developments unfolding.
On Monday, the undersea data cable connecting Germany and Finland, known as C-Lion1, was cut, disrupting internet connectivity. The cable, which was laid down in 2016 and broke data speed records at the time, runs 728 miles between Helsinki and Rockstock and is buried 3 feet into the seabed. The German government announced the official investigation into the sabotage of the C-Lion1 cable on December 28, 2023.
Meanwhile, Russia has published a long-promised document detailing its lowered threshold for using nuclear weapons. Hans Kristensen, Director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists, found the updated Russian nuclear policy document to be broad and detailed. The document outlines three new scenarios in which Russia might use nuclear weapons, including an attack by a non-nuclear state against Russia with the help of a nuclear-armed state.
Kristensen questioned the need for such a detailed document, suggesting a one-pager declaring the President's authority to authorize nuclear weapons use might have been sufficient.
The Baltic Sea has been a flashpoint since Russia escalated its long-running war in Ukraine in 2022. On Sunday morning, a cable running from Lithuania to Sweden's Gotland Island sustained damage, adding to the concerns in the region.
In response to the rising tensions, Sweden is taking measures to prepare its citizens. The Swedish government is mailing out a slim yellow book titled 'In Case of Crisis or War' to five million homes. The book details what's required of a Swedish citizen in the event of war or the threat of war. From the age of 16 until 70, Swedish citizens are part of Sweden's total defense and required to serve in the event of war or the threat of war.
Finland has also published new guidance for its citizens about surviving a wide range of disasters, including pandemics and war. Samuli Bergström, a communications chief at the Finnish National Cyber Security Center Traficom, stated that there are several data connections running between Finland and the rest of the world. He assured that the disruption of one cable, such as C-Lion1, would not severely impact Finland's internet connectivity due to the redundancy in their system.
The air of war-time tension in Europe is palpable, with the foreign ministers of Germany, France, Poland, Italy, Spain, and the U.K. issuing a joint declaration on Monday, stating that Russia is systematically attacking European security architecture.
In a related development, President Biden told Kyiv it could use US-supplied long-range missiles to strike deep inside Russia, further escalating the tensions.
As Europe braces for potential challenges, it remains to be seen how these events will unfold in the coming days and weeks.
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