US Senate Calls for Addressing National Security Concerns Over Suspected Russian and Chinese Sabotage of International Submarine Cables
The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee is holding a hearing on the repeated damage to international submarine cables, with Chairman Jim Risch calling for increased efforts to address growing national security concerns. Since 2022, there have been at least eight suspected incidents of submarine cable damage in the Baltic Sea, with Russia strongly suspected of involvement. In 2023, Taiwan accused two Chinese vessels of cutting its only two internet connection cables in the Matsu region.
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- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 09:53
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency Washington 29th Comprehensive Foreign Report) The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a hearing today on the repeated damage to international submarine cables. Committee Chairman Jim Risch called for increased efforts to address the growing national security concerns surrounding submarine cables.
According to a prepared statement obtained by Reuters, Republican Senator Risch stated: "We need international cooperation to enhance the resilience of submarine infrastructure and to prevent or mitigate the impact when attacks occur."
The Foreign Relations Committee noted that since 2022, there have been at least eight suspected incidents of submarine cable damage in the Baltic Sea, with Russia strongly suspected of involvement.
In November 2024, two fiber optic telecommunication cables in the Baltic Sea were cut, prompting an investigation into whether there was deliberate sabotage. In 2023, Taiwan accused two Chinese vessels of cutting the only two internet connection cables in the Matsu region.
Risch stated: "Russia has developed high-end underwater operational capabilities and uses low-tech methods, such as mimicking anchor dragging on the seabed to cause damage, to mask its destructive activities."
At the same time, Risch also said that China is suspected of similar activities.
For over a year, Washington has been issuing warnings that the world's more than 400 submarine cables, which carry 99% of international internet traffic, face threats from China and Russia.
Neither the Russian nor Chinese embassies in the U.S. immediately responded to Reuters' request for comment.
Reuters reported that Britain earlier this month stated it had dispatched warships to prevent Russian submarines from attacking these cables. It is understood that Russian submarines had been lurking in and around British waters for over a month earlier this year. (Compiled by Chi Chin-ling) 1150430
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(Central News Agency Washington 29th Comprehensive Foreign Report) The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a hearing today on the repeated damage to international submarine cables. Committee Chairman Jim Risch called for increased efforts to address the growing national security concerns surrounding submarine cables.
According to a prepared statement obtained by Reuters, Republican Senator Risch stated: "We need international cooperation to enhance the resilience of submarine infrastructure and to prevent or mitigate the impact when attacks occur."
The Foreign Relations Committee noted that since 2022, there have been at least eight suspected incidents of submarine cable damage in the Baltic Sea, with Russia strongly suspected of involvement.
In November 2024, two fiber optic telecommunication cables in the Baltic Sea were cut, prompting an investigation into whether there was deliberate sabotage. In 2023, Taiwan accused two Chinese vessels of cutting the only two internet connection cables in the Matsu region.
Risch stated: "Russia has developed high-end underwater operational capabilities and uses low-tech methods, such as mimicking anchor dragging on the seabed to cause damage, to mask its destructive activities."
At the same time, Risch also said that China is suspected of similar activities.
For over a year, Washington has been issuing warnings that the world's more than 400 submarine cables, which carry 99% of international internet traffic, face threats from China and Russia.
Neither the Russian nor Chinese embassies in the U.S. immediately responded to Reuters' request for comment.
Reuters reported that Britain earlier this month stated it had dispatched warships to prevent Russian submarines from attacking these cables. It is understood that Russian submarines had been lurking in and around British waters for over a month earlier this year. (Compiled by Chi Chin-ling) 1150430
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.