European countries have accused Russia of intensifying hybrid attacks against Ukraine's Western allies, reports "Reuters", quoted by News.bg.
Baltic countries are investigating possible sabotage after two underwater telecommunications cables were cut in the Baltic Sea.
"Moscow's escalating hybrid activities against NATO and the EU are unprecedented in variety and scale, creating significant security risks," it is said in a joint position of the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Great Britain. They stress that Europe must "think and act big" to strengthen its security.
The incidents include a break in a cable between Finland and Germany and another between Sweden and Lithuania. The operator companies specified that the damage is complete, and the reasons are not yet clear. Repairs can take up to two weeks.
European officials have not directly blamed Russia, but Germany and Poland believe the cases are likely sabotage. Lithuania has stepped up surveillance of its waters, and Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has warned of additional diplomatic measures against Moscow.
"No one believes that cables are accidentally damaged," German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said, adding that sabotage was the most likely explanation.
Russia denies the allegations and says they are part of a Western information war aimed at discrediting Moscow. The authorities recall the lack of results from the investigation of the explosions on the "North Stream" in 2022