Estonia reports damage to five underwater cables
Photo: five underwater communication cables damaged in Estonia (Getty Images)
In Estonia, five underwater communication cables have been damaged. The causes of the damage are under investigation, and telecom companies are already planning repair work, according to the Estonian Ministry of Justice and Digital Development.
In recent days, telecommunications companies have reported non-functioning underwater cables connecting Estonia with Sweden and Finland, as well as one cable between the island of Hiiumaa and the mainland.
The Ministry confirms that other marine and land channels ensure the continuity of all services.
Elisa has reported limitations on certain leased cable services and is maintaining contact with affected customers. Faults have been identified on cables owned by CITIC, Telia, Arelion, and Elisa, between Estonia, Hiiumaa, Sweden, and Finland.
The causes of damage to some cables are linked to stormy weather, while two cables between Estonia and Finland are under police investigation after a vessel was detained by the Finnish Border Guard.
The Estonian Prosecutor’s Office is actively cooperating with Finnish colleagues to clarify the circumstances.
"The Estonian Prosecutor's Office is actively exchanging information and cooperating closely with Finnish colleagues," said Liisa Pakosta, Estonia’s Minister of Justice and Digital Development.
Cable owners are planning repair work, during which the exact causes of all faults will be determined.
Damage to cables in the Gulf of Finland
An underwater cable connecting Finland and Estonia was reported damaged in the Gulf of Finland. The fault was detected on the morning of December 31.
This is not the first such incident: a similar situation occurred a year ago. On December 25, 2024, Finland reported damage to the Estlink 2 submarine power cable, which connects the two countries.
It later emerged that two Elisa communication cables and one CITIC Telecom cable were also damaged. According to media reports, two vessels were near the site of the damage, one of which was subsequently detained.
On December 26, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas announced plans to strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure, stating that NATO allies could be involved in these measures.
