Telecommunications companies have indicated that sabotage actions against the alleged underwater cables organized by Russia could disrupt the internet globally.

While allegations of Russia’s attacks on underwater cables persist, Europe’s largest telecommunications companies called on NATO to “resist” all of this. In an open letter penned by the companies, the effects of the events were stated to be “way beyond Europe.” According to PC Mag, telecommunications companies urged both NATO and other military leaders to “do more to protect the region’s underwater infrastructure.” Companies including Telefónica, Vodafone, and O2’s owner Orange emphasized the importance of a developed and coordinated action to protect Europe’s cross-border networks, including incidents related to underwater cables in the Baltic and North Seas amidst the increase in hybrid threats.

JOINT CALL FROM COMPANIES: INVEST IN ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES

In a joint letter from the companies, it was stated that the effects of damage to underwater cables go far beyond Europe, suggesting that potential future attacks “could affect the global internet and power infrastructure, international communication, financial transactions, and critical services worldwide.” The statement also requested NATO and other military leaders to conduct “vigorous information and intelligence sharing,” calling for “joint monitoring and surveillance initiatives,” and encouraging investment in advanced technologies to detect and reduce damage to underwater cables.

RUSSIA’S NAME IS NOT MENTIONED BUT…

Although there is no mention of any “foreign power” in the document, it is claimed that a series of incidents within the last year were orchestrated by Russia. Most recently, in November 2024, a Chinese ship was surrounded by ships from some European countries, with allegations that the ship, named “Yi Peng 3” and filled with Russian goods, attempted to sabotage a fiber optic cable in the Baltic Sea. The vessel had reportedly dragged its anchor along the seabed for about 100 nautical miles. An investigation was opened into the incident, probing whether the ship’s crew was instructed to carry out this action to damage the cables.