**NATO Boosts Military Presence in Baltic Sea**
The head of NATO, Mark Rutte, said on December 27 that the alliance will increase its military presence in the Baltic Sea. This decision was made after a power cable between Finland and Estonia was severely damaged. The Estlink 2 cable is 170 kilometers long and connects the two countries.
**Possible Sabotage by Russia**
The damage to the cable is believed to have been caused by a Russian tanker. Finnish police announced on December 26 that an investigation found it likely happened because of a ship from Moscow’s “shadow fleet.” The shadow fleet is made up of vessels used to help the Kremlin avoid sanctions.
**Investigation Ongoing**
Authorities are still trying to figure out if the damage was intentional or not. It appears that the anchor of the Russian vessel called Eagle S caused the harm. The Estlink 2 cable has been offline since then and may take months to repair, affecting power supply in the winter season.
**Emergency Meetings Held**
The Finnish and Estonian governments have held emergency meetings to discuss the situation. In a phone conversation with Estonia’s Prime Minister Kristen Michal on December 26, Rutte said NATO is ready to provide more support.
**Increased Security Threats from Russia**
Nordic countries have been on high alert due to growing security threats from Russia. Intelligence services in Europe warned in 2023 that Russia might be planning to sabotage power cables, wind turbines, and gas pipes in Nordic countries.
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