An international incident is unfolding in the Baltic Sea, focusing on the Chinese cargo ship *Yi Peng 3*, currently anchored in international waters off the coast of Denmark. Multiple European nations, all members of NATO, are investigating the vessel for its suspected role in the deliberate cutting of two undersea fiber-optic cables earlier this month.
The first cable, severed between Sweden and Lithuania, and the second between Germany and Finland, suffered damage between November 17th and 18th. This has prompted a coordinated response, with naval vessels from Denmark, Germany, and Sweden closely monitoring the *Yi Peng 3*. The Wall Street Journal reports that the investigation centers around the ship allegedly dragging its anchor for over 100 miles (160 kilometers), a maneuver investigators believe was intentionally used to cut the cables. This theory is further supported by the fact that the ship’s transponder was switched off during the period of suspected sabotage, obscuring its location.
Investigators suspect a potential link between the *Yi Peng 3* and Russian intelligence. The Wall Street Journal speculates that the Chinese captain may have been recruited to carry out this act of sabotage, highlighting a possible connection to Russia’s alleged campaign of targeting critical European infrastructure. The ship’s journey, departing from the Russian Baltic port of Ust-Luga on November 15th, further fuels these suspicions. A senior European investigator stated that the possibility of accidental cable damage is “extremely unlikely,” given the prolonged dragging of the anchor and the ship’s subsequent actions.
Sweden is reportedly negotiating the return of the *Yi Peng 3* to Swedish waters to facilitate a thorough investigation. This incident is not an isolated event. Last year, another Chinese-registered vessel, the ‘Newnew Polar Bear,’ was implicated in damaging a gas pipeline and communication cable between Finland and Estonia. This pattern of events strongly suggests a broader strategy of undermining European infrastructure.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius stated that the presumption is one of sabotage, dismissing accidental damage as highly improbable. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called for increased naval patrols in the Baltic Sea to deter future acts of sabotage, highlighting the need for a collaborative approach among Baltic and Nordic nations to safeguard their critical infrastructure and ensure the security of the region. The implications of this incident are far-reaching, raising concerns about the growing tensions in the Baltic Sea and the potential for further acts of aggression against crucial European assets. The ongoing investigation into the *Yi Peng 3* is expected to shed more light on this serious matter and its broader geopolitical implications.
