A joint investigation by public broadcasters in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland claims that Russia has a program to sabotage wind farms and communication cables in the North Sea. According to the investigation, Russia has a fleet of vessels disguised as fishing trawlers and research vessels in the North Sea, carrying underwater surveillance equipment and mapping key sites for possible sabotage. The Russian ships are said to be preparing sabotage plans in case of a war with Western powers.
The first of a series of reports is due to be broadcast on Wednesday by DR in Denmark, NRK in Norway, SVT in Sweden, and Yle in Finland. The report focuses on a Russian vessel called the Admiral Vladimirsky, which allegedly slowed down when approaching areas where there are wind farms and loiters in the area.
The report raises the possibility such vessels were linked to an incident south of Svalbard last year when an underwater data cable was cut. Norway expelled 15 Russian officials, accusing them of spying. It was the latest in a wave of expulsions across Europe since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The incident severely hampered communications with the mainland and was seen as likely caused by “fishing vessels.”
The destruction last September of parts of the Nord Stream pipeline designed to carry gas from Russia to Europe was the only clear and significant act of sabotage, with many accusing Russia of being responsible.
Source: BBC
