In a dramatic turn of events, the Baltic Sea has become the center of a concerning series of incidents. Germany has labeled the suspected sabotage of an undersea power cable linking Finland and Estonia as a “wake-up call,” sparking demands for new EU sanctions against Russia’s controversial “shadow fleet.”

The Estlink 2 power cable, a vital infrastructure connecting Finland and Estonia, was disconnected from the grid on Wednesday. This incident comes shortly after the severing of two telecommunications cables in Swedish territorial waters in the Baltic Sea just over a month ago.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed her concerns, stating, “Almost every month, ships are damaging major undersea cables in the Baltic Sea. Crews are leaving anchors in the water, dragging them for kilometers along the seafloor for no apparent reason, and then losing them when pulling them up. It’s more than difficult to still believe in coincidences. This is an urgent wake-up call for all of us.”

Baerbock emphasized the need for “new European sanctions against the Russian shadow fleet,” accusing it of circumventing embargoes and funding Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine. The shadow fleet, which transports Russian crude oil and oil products, has been described as a significant threat to both the environment and security in the region.

Finnish authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, focusing on the oil tanker Eagle S, which recently departed from a Russian port. This act of “aggravated sabotage” is part of a broader pattern that has prompted NATO to announce an increase in its military presence in the Baltic Sea.

As Europe grapples with these escalating threats, the incidents serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and the importance of unity and decisive action among EU and NATO members.