Poland Says Russian Ship Performed ‘Suspicious Maneuvers’ Near Cable to Sweden
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Poland Says Russian Ship Performed ‘Suspicious Maneuvers’ Near Cable to Sweden
A ship from Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” performed “suspicious maneuvers” near a power cable connecting Poland with Sweden. The 600-megawatt undersea cable links the Swedish coast near Karlshamn with Ustka in northern Poland.
“After the effective intervention of our military, the ship sailed to one of the Russian ports,” he added. He said a Polish Navy survey ship was sailing to the scene.
The 600-megawatt undersea cable links the Swedish coast near Karlshamn with Ustka in northern Poland and allows both grids to rely on cross-border supplies when electricity is cheaper in the other system.
Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said the cable belonged to Polish grid operator PSE.
NATO has stepped up security in the Baltic Sea following a string of incidents in which power cables, telecom links and gas pipelines have been damaged in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Poland intervenes as Russian ‘shadow fleet’ ship spotted near power cable
NATO has stepped up security in the Baltic following a string of incidents in which power cables, telecom links and gas pipelines have been damaged. The term “shadow fleet” refers to vessels used by Russia to ship oil, arms and grains in violation of international sanctions imposed after the invasion. The 600-megawatt undersea cable links the Swedish coast near Karlshamn with Ustka in northern Poland. It allows both grids to rely on cross-border supplies when electricity is cheaper in the other system. The Russian embassy in Warsaw did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
WARSAW – Poland’s military intervened after a ship from the Russian “shadow fleet” was seen performing suspicious manoeuvres near a power cable connecting Poland with Sweden, the Polish Prime Minister said on Wednesday.
NATO has stepped up security in the Baltic following a string of incidents in which power cables, telecom links and gas pipelines have been damaged in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
“A Russian ship from the ‘shadow fleet’ covered by sanctions performed suspicious maneuvers near the power cable connecting Poland with Sweden,” Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X.
“After the effective intervention of our military, the ship sailed to one of the Russian ports.”
The term “shadow fleet” refers to vessels used by Russia to ship oil, arms and grains in violation of international sanctions imposed after the invasion.
Speaking later to reporters, Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said a patrol flight scared the ship off and Polish Navy Polish Navy’s ORP Heweliusz was sailing to the scene.
The Russian embassy in Warsaw did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. In the past, Moscow has denied its involvement in undersea sabotage in the Baltic, saying the West was using such claims to curb its sea-borne oil exports.
The 600-megawatt undersea cable links the Swedish coast near Karlshamn with Ustka in northern Poland and allows both grids to rely on cross-border supplies when electricity is cheaper in the other system.
A spokesperson for Polish grid operator PSE said the cable was working. PSE data showed over 600 megawatts were flowing to Sweden through the cable at 1130 GMT.
“This shows how dangerous the times we live in are, how serious the situation in the Baltic Sea is,” Kosiniak-Kamysz told a news conference.
“Since Sweden and Finland joined the North Atlantic Alliance, the Baltic Sea has become a key marine area, where the largest number of incidents occur, the most common incidents related to cable breaks… and sabotage.”
He vowed a “firm response” from Poland and NATO to any attack on Baltic Sea infrastructure.
Sweden’s coast guard declined to comment. Reuters was not immediately able to reach Sweden’s minister for civil defence. REUTERS
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Tusk flags Russian ship’s suspicious maneuvers near critical Polish undersea cable
Poland recorded that the Russian ship, which is under sanctions and part of the shadow fleet, was performing “suspicious maneuvers” near the cable linking Poland and Sweden. The Polish Prime Minister added that a Polish Navy reconnaissance ship was en route to the site of the incident.
Poland recorded that the Russian ship, which is under sanctions and part of the shadow fleet, was performing “suspicious maneuvers” near the cable linking Poland and Sweden.
“After the effective intervention of our military, the ship sailed to one of the Russian ports,” Tusk wrote.
The Polish Prime Minister added that a Polish Navy reconnaissance ship was en route to the site of the incident.
Cable damage in the Baltic Sea
Over the past year and a half, several incidents have occurred in the Baltic Sea involving damage to telecommunications and power cables, as well as gas pipelines. In some cases, European countries have pointed to the involvement of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.”
For example, in February 2025, a break in an underwater cable between Finland and Germany was recorded.
Due to damage to underwater cables, a program has been proposed to protect the Baltic Sea from threats posed by Russia. NATO has dispatched a mission to patrol the Baltic Sea.
Source: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/05/21/poland-says-russian-ship-performed-suspicious-maneuvers-near-cable-to-sweden-a89160