The Finnish Government has revealed damage to a subsea gas pipeline and telecommunications cable connecting Finland and Estonia under the Baltic Sea.
Officials have said the incident could possibly be the result of a deliberate act.
Unusual pressure fluctuations were detected in the Balticconnector undersea pipeline shortly before 2am on Sunday.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, during a news conference, referred to the incident as a potential “attack” and suggested that it is likely to be the result of “external action.”
In response to the damaged gas pipeline and data cable between Finland and Estonia, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a statement expressing her concern and condemnation of any deliberate act aimed at critical infrastructure.
Ursula von der Leyen said: “This is the second time in just over a year that this kind of critical infrastructure is damaged. We stand in full solidarity with Finland and Estonia.
“I assured the Finnish and Estonian Prime Ministers that the European Commission will continue to cooperate with member states and NATO to strengthen resilience against threats to our critical infrastructure.”
