Western intelligence attributes Baltic cable damage to causes other than Russian sabotage, reports WaPo
According to the newspaper, the ruptures were likely maritime accidents, referencing officials from three Western countries. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Recent damage to underwater power and communications cables in the Baltic Sea is thought to be due to “maritime accidents” rather than acts of sabotage by Russia, according to a report by the Washington Post on Sunday that cites various US and European intelligence officials.
A growing consensus among Western intelligence circles has emerged regarding the series of incidents affecting underwater infrastructure in recent weeks, with no evidence of intentional wrongdoing found, the newspaper noted.
Western officials suggested that “intercepted communications and other classified intelligence” point to inexperienced crews and poorly maintained ships as the causes of the accidents.
Unnamed US officials shared with the publication that “clear explanations” have surfaced for each incident, indicating that the damage occurred accidentally. A European official remarked that the initial assertions of Russian involvement are now being met with “counter evidence” that suggests otherwise.
Investigations have concentrated on three incidents involving ships traveling to and from Russian ports over the past 18 months in the Baltic region. These include the rupture of a natural gas pipeline in the Gulf of Finland in October 2023, attributed to the Newnew Polar Bear container ship, and damage to two cables allegedly caused by the Yi Peng 3 bulk carrier in November.
The most recent incident, which took place in late December, involved a tanker purportedly linked to Russia, the Eagle S, which reportedly dragged its anchor across the EstLink 2 power cable connecting Finland and Estonia. Finnish authorities boarded and seized the vessel, claiming it was missing one of its anchors.
Moscow has rejected any implication of responsibility for the incidents in the Baltic Sea, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declaring in November that “It is quite absurd to continue to blame Russia for everything without any reason.”
Debra A Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
A growing consensus among Western intelligence circles has emerged regarding the series of incidents affecting underwater infrastructure in recent weeks, with no evidence of intentional wrongdoing found, the newspaper noted.
Western officials suggested that “intercepted communications and other classified intelligence” point to inexperienced crews and poorly maintained ships as the causes of the accidents.
Unnamed US officials shared with the publication that “clear explanations” have surfaced for each incident, indicating that the damage occurred accidentally. A European official remarked that the initial assertions of Russian involvement are now being met with “counter evidence” that suggests otherwise.
Investigations have concentrated on three incidents involving ships traveling to and from Russian ports over the past 18 months in the Baltic region. These include the rupture of a natural gas pipeline in the Gulf of Finland in October 2023, attributed to the Newnew Polar Bear container ship, and damage to two cables allegedly caused by the Yi Peng 3 bulk carrier in November.
The most recent incident, which took place in late December, involved a tanker purportedly linked to Russia, the Eagle S, which reportedly dragged its anchor across the EstLink 2 power cable connecting Finland and Estonia. Finnish authorities boarded and seized the vessel, claiming it was missing one of its anchors.
Moscow has rejected any implication of responsibility for the incidents in the Baltic Sea, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declaring in November that “It is quite absurd to continue to blame Russia for everything without any reason.”
Debra A Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
