11:17 26-09-2025

Baltic Cable Breaks Framed as Sabotage to Blame Russia – Expert

© A. Krivonosov

Igor Zhukovsky of IMEMO RAS said Baltic cable breaks are used as a pretext to accuse Russia of sabotage, warning such incidents heighten tensions in Europe.

Breaks in undersea cables in the Baltic Sea are being used as a convenient pretext to accuse Russia of sabotage, according to Igor Zhukovsky, senior researcher at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO RAS).

He argued that such incidents are well suited for so-called «false flag» scenarios, where damage is attributed to Moscow regardless of the real cause.

Zhukovsky explained that critical infrastructure has always been regarded as a priority target in military planning. Against the backdrop of escalating tensions, he noted, undersea telecommunications and energy lines in the Baltic are especially vulnerable and could become the first targets in the event of attacks.

The researcher added that the recent cable damage is being exploited to fuel the narrative of a «Russian threat» and to heighten political pressure across Europe. At the same time, he stressed that each case may have alternative explanations unrelated to Russia’s actions.