Sweden will help Finland after the damaged underwater cables in the Baltic Sea.
The Swedish Armed Forces are assisting with the submarine rescue vessel HMS Belos.
– It goes without saying that the Swedish Armed Forces contribute with its unique expertise so that Finland can bring clarity to what has happened, says Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
This week, Sweden received a request from the neighboring country for advanced equipment that could assist the investigations of the damaged cables in the Baltic Sea.
Now Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Defense Minister Pål Jonson announce that Sweden will respond to Finland’s request.
– Since these cable breaks in the Baltic Sea were discovered, we have said that Sweden is ready to help our neighbors. There is a serious security policy situation and we want to strengthen security and cooperation with neighbors and allies, says Ulf Kristersson in the press release.
“HMS Belos is a strong asset”
The submarine rescue vessel that will assist has, among other things, the advanced equipment required for underwater and diving work on board.
– HMS Belos is a strong asset for the Swedish defense and I am happy that the ship can help our Finnish friends in their important work, says Defense Minister Pål Jonson (M) in the press release.
The Prime Minister: “Feels worried for good reasons”
Earlier this week, Ulf Kristersson was interviewed in Nyhetsmorgon where he, “with good reason”, felt concerned after the suspected cable sabotage in the Baltic Sea.
– Coincidence exists, but I usually don’t believe in coincidence. When sufficiently strange things happen, it is usually not a coincidence, says the Prime Minister in Nyhetsmorgon.
Earlier on Friday afternoon, the Helsinki district court announced that the ship Eagle S will not be allowed to leave Finland despite the shipping company’s objections. The tanker, flagged in the Cook Islands but believed to belong to the Russian shadow fleet, is suspected of being behind a series of destroyed underwater cables.
Sweden is also investigating the Chinese vessel Yi Peng’s suspected involvement in the cable breach in November.