Investigators Say A Chinese Ship’s Crew Deliberately Dragged Its Anchor To Cut Undersea Data Cables

European investigators suspect a Chinese-owned commercial vessel, the Yi Peng 3, deliberately dragged its anchor to sabotage two undersea telecommunications cables in the Baltic Sea earlier this month. While the incident raised suspicions of geopolitical meddling, Western intelligence officials told The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) that they do not believe the Chinese government was involved. Instead, attention has shifted to whether Russian intelligence influenced the ship’s captain to carry out the operation.

The investigation has drawn NATO warships from Denmark, Germany, and Sweden to the area surrounding the 225-meter-long vessel. Its owner, Ningbo Yipeng Shipping, has reportedly been cooperative, allowing the vessel to be stopped in international waters. However, Swedish and German authorities are still negotiating access to the ship and its crew, as international maritime laws prevent NATO from compelling the vessel into their ports.

Investigators allege the Yi Peng 3 dragged its anchor along the Baltic seabed for over 100 miles from November 17 to 18, severing two vital undersea data cables. One cable connected Lithuania to Sweden, while the other linked Finland and Germany. Satellite and other tracking data revealed the ship moved unusually slowly during this period, weighed down by its anchor. After severing the cables, the ship reportedly zig-zagged, raised its anchor, and resumed normal movement.

Adding to the suspicions, the ship’s transponder was disabled during the incident, and an examination of its anchor and hull revealed damage consistent with cable-cutting. A senior European investigator remarked, “It’s extremely unlikely that the captain would not have noticed that his ship dropped and dragged its anchor, losing speed for hours and cutting cables on the way.” Independent analytics firms have also deemed accidental anchor dragging improbable.

The ship’s recent operational history has added to the intrigue. Previously restricted to Chinese waters from late 2019 to early 2024, the Yi Peng 3 abruptly began transporting Russian coal and other goods in March, frequently stopping at Russian ports. At the time of its interception by the Danish Navy, the ship was carrying Russian fertilizer.

The incident follows a September warning from the United States about an increased risk of Russian interference with undersea data cables, a critical part of global communications infrastructure. If Russian involvement in the Baltic Sea sabotage is confirmed, it would represent a significant escalation in hybrid warfare tactics, targeting vital Western infrastructure through unconventional means.