An ‘external force’ damaged the communication cable between Sweden and Estonia

24 October, 2023 The Estonian Navy is investigating an underwater communication cable in the Gulf of Finland. Photo credits: REUTERS The Swedish government claims that an 'external force' damaged the submarine telecommunications cable connecting the country to Estonia.

The statement was published on the website of the Swedish government. "It was confirmed that the cable was damaged due to 'external force' or tampering. The damage did not affect the cable's function.

The incident happened within the Estonian economic zone," the statement said. It is noted that over the past few days, Swedish government agencies have received information about damage to a telecommunications cable between Sweden and Estonia. It is not yet known what caused the damage.

It is believed that this might be related to two other incidents: damage to the Balticconnector gas pipeline connecting Estonia and Finland and to the communication cable between these countries.

Balticconnector on the map

As reported, the accident on the Balticconnector subsea gas pipeline connecting Estonia and Finland occurred on the night of October 8. The gas pipeline was shut down due to a leak caused by an intentional external force. The damage to the communication cable between Estonia and Finland was also reported.

Finland is investigating the causes of the gas pipeline damage, while the Estonian authorities are investigating the damage to the communication cable. The Estonian-Finnish Balticconnector joint gas pipeline was opened in December 2019. The length of the Balticconnector underwater section from the Estonian port city of Paldiski to Inkoo in Finland is 77 km.

The onshore part covers 55 km in Estonia and 21 km in Finland.

Compressor station of the Balticconnector subsea gas pipeline.

Photo credits: REUTERS

The purpose of the Balticconnector was to ensure gas transportation between Finland, Estonia, and Latvia at no additional cost and to reduce the dependence of local markets on Russia's Gazprom.