Baltic Sea Tensions Rise with Suspected Sabotage

A series of incidents in the Baltic Sea involving damage to underwater cables and pipelines has raised suspicions of sabotage, potentially linked to Russia's so-called 'shadow fleet'. These incidents, including the recent severing of a cable between Latvia and Sweden, have led to heightened security measures by NATO and Baltic nations. Investigations are underway, with Swedish authorities seizing a Bulgarian vessel suspected of involvement. Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen and other European leaders have called for decisive action against the shadow fleet, which is believed to be circumventing sanctions and posing risks to critical infrastructure. Russia's tactics are seen as part of a broader hybrid warfare strategy aimed at destabilizing Europe, with NATO increasing its military presence in the region. The European Union has threatened new sanctions amidst ongoing investigations into these acts of suspected sabotage.