NATO Warns of Global Internet Blackouts Amid Russian Subsea Cable Threats

Telecom giants, including Vodafone and Telefonica, have warned NATO that Russia could potentially trigger global internet blackouts by sabotaging undersea cables with its 'shadow fleet.' In an open letter to UK, EU, and NATO leaders, they emphasized the criticality of these cables, which carry about 95% of international data, and the severe repercussions of any damage. Since October 2023, at least 11 cables have been compromised, primarily in the Baltic Sea, raising alarms about Russian involvement as their spy ship Yantar was detected mapping underwater infrastructure. UK Defence Secretary John Healey has condemned these incidents as indicative of growing Russian aggression, while concerns have also been raised about potential sabotage from China. The telecoms companies urged for enhanced protection measures and surveillance technologies to secure these vital networks against future threats. The geopolitical landscape, they noted, has made subsea cables increasingly vulnerable and necessitates urgent action for their defense.