**Vessels Anchor on Baltic Sea, Sparking Security Concerns**
In the Kattegat Sea near Denmark’s Grenaa city, a Chinese bulk carrier named Yi Peng 3 was anchored and monitored by a Danish naval patrol vessel on November 20, 2024. This incident highlights growing security concerns in the Baltic Sea region.
**Russian Military Activities Raise Alarm**
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, NATO countries became more vigilant about protecting their energy and communication infrastructure. Russian military vessels and “research” ships were found to be mapping seabed infrastructure and conducting military exercises near critical NATO facilities.
**Sabotage Incidents on the Rise**
In October 2023, a Chinese-registered vessel called NewNew Polar Bear caused significant damage to undersea telecommunications cables and a gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea. This incident prompted an investigation by the European Union and NATO.
**Measures Taken but Not Enough**
NATO established a Critical Undersea Infrastructure Coordination Cell in Brussels in February 2023, and the alliance’s Maritime Command set up a center for securing critical undersea infrastructure. However, these measures were not enough to prevent future incidents.
**Recent Incidents Spark Fresh Concerns**
In late 2024, another Chinese cargo ship, Yi Peng 3, dragged its anchor, severing two undersea fiber-optic cables. A Russian-linked tanker, Eagle S, also caused damage by dragging its anchor over 100 kilometers. This led to calls for a joint maritime policing program among Baltic Sea nations.
**International Fleet Formed**
In response to these incidents, NATO countries in the Baltic Sea have formed an international fleet to counter unusual vessel activities near energy and communication infrastructure. While this force is not equipped to control the entire seabed, it signals that sabotage attempts will be met with a strong response.
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