Specifically, faults have been detected in the CITIC-owned cable between Estonia and Sweden (since December 28), the Telia-owned cable between Läänemaa and Hiiumaa, and the Arelion-owned cable between Hiiumaa and Sweden at two locations (since December 30), as well as in one Arelion-owned cable and one Elisa-owned cable between Estonia and Finland as of this morning.
In the earlier cases, the faults are likely caused by stormy weather conditions.
The causes of the damage to the two cables between Estonia and Finland this morning are currently being investigated. Specifically, Elisa detected damage to the communications cable between Estonia and Finland in the Estonian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around 5 AM this morning. At the time of the damage, a vessel was moving from the Estonian EEZ into the Finnish EEZ and was subsequently detained by the Finnish Border Guard. The Finnish Police have initiated criminal proceedings to investigate the incident, verifying the vessel's connection to the damage and conducting initial procedural acts. The vessel had its anchor chain in the water at the time of detention.
The Estonian Prosecutor's Office is actively exchanging information and cooperating closely with Finnish colleagues. Following the initial results of the Finnish procedural acts, a decision will be made regarding the initiation of separate criminal proceedings in Estonia and the formation of a joint investigation team with Finnish colleagues.
The owners of the cables are currently planning repair works, during which the precise causes of all faults will also be determined.
According to Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa Pakosta, Estonia's external internet connections are multiply duplicated: in the event of undersea cable breakage, other sea cables or land cables running to Latvia can be utilized.
"This system ensures the resilience of our cross-border internet connection and information systems in any situation," Pakosta said. She confirmed that the state and telecom companies are in operational information exchange to analyze and resolve the situation, fault reports are circulated immediately, and communication is maintained with the Finnish side.
Additional comments:
Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa Pakosta: +372 5026191
Undersecretary for Digital Infrastructure and Cybersecurity Tõnu Grünberg: +372 5047053