"The security policy situation in our immediate area has deteriorated" said Swedish defence minister Jonson at the presser
Swedish civil defence minister says have received information that a telecoms cable between Estonia and Sweden has been damaged; the damage occured at a similar time to the damage to the pipeline between Finland and Estonia
There will be a Swedish press-conference later today, featuring the Ministers for Defense and Civil Protection, Navy and Coast Guard Chiefs on "a new development regarding sea floor critical infrastructure concerning Sweden"
Kaja Kallas: I called @jensstoltenberg to brief him on the incidents related to Balticconnector and a submarine communications cable between Estonia and Finland.We discussed how to increase the protection of critical infrastructure in light of this.We agreed to remain in close contact
Estonian Ministers: #Balticconnector pipeline damage was deliberate. DefMin: "picture we have from the pipeline tells us that the damage had to have been done by something greater than a diver or unmanned submersible. The damage is more extensive"
1 year agoNorwegian independent seismic monitoring foundation NORSAR: "NORSAR have detected a probable explosion along the Finnish coast of the Baltic Sea at 01:20 (local time in Finland) on 8th October 2023. This explosion was detected using stations in Finland
The Estonian minister of defence will also hold a press conference about the underwater incidents in the Gulf of Finland, at about 17:30 CET
The foreign minister of Finland will brief EU colleagues about the sabotage on the Balticconnector this afternoon
Finnish prime minister first comments (presser to follow at 17:30 Finnish time):- gas pipeline damage in Finland's exclusive economic zone;- data cable damage in Estonia´s exclusive economic zone; - Nato allies and EU partners kept in the loop
Jens Stoltenberg: Spoke with President Sauli @niinisto on damage to undersea infrastructure between Estonia & Finland. NATO is sharing information & stands ready to support Allies concerned
Finnish president: "It's likely that both the pipeline and data cable damages are results of outside activity. Cause not yet established, joint Finnish-Estonian investigation ongoing."
1 year agoFinnish national broadcaster YLE referring to it's sources: seems #balticconnector leak was not an accident. Navy Mine countermeasures vessel MHC Purunpää and Border Guard offshore patrol vessel Turva on site. Finnish gov to hold presser today
Finland gas pipeline leak probe proceeding on premise of potential sabotage, according to people familiar with the matter - Bloomberg
1 year agoReuters: Finland’s Gasgrid & Estonia’s Elering state survey work will begin soon after sudden drop in pressure of Balticconnector natural gas pipeline spanning Gulf of Finland yesterday, suggesting a leak. Elering affirms that no cause “including sabotage” can be ruled out for the time being
Jailed Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi has won the Nobel Peace Prize for 2023 for her "fight against the oppression of women" in her country
Swedish Ministry of Defense: Our condition for sending fighter planes to Ukraine is to obtain NATO membership first
Train stops between Stockholm and Malmö after fire, according to P4
Norway bans entry for cars with Russian license plates from Tuesday October 3
Sweden’s defence budget will increase $2bn next year to reach 2,1% of GDP and surpass NATO’s target
The naval strike group of the Northern Fleet, consisting of the missile cruiser "Marshal Ustinov" and the destroyer "Admiral Ushakov", fired at sea targets during exercises in the Barents Sea and on the coast of the Kola Peninsula
The Russian embassy in Helsinki accuses the Finnish authorities of detaining a Russian citizen at Ukraine's request
1 year agoPM of Finland Petteri Orpo is on visit in Kyiv
Power cut at Gothenburg's central station - trains stand still
President Zelensky arrived in Denmark after his visit to the Netherlands
President Zelensky is on visit in Sweden
Sweden PM says country has averted planned attacks
1 year agoPro-Iranian militia in Iraq are now urging their followers to target Swedish citizens in Iraq, labeling them as "Supporters of Zionism”. Ash’ab al-Kahaf has issued a statement calling on its supporters to aim at Swedish interests & citizens in Iraq
Biden: I don’t think the war could go on for years. Says there are 2 reasons for that: 1. does not think Russia could maintain a war for years with resources/capacity 2. Thinks Putin will eventually decide its not in Russia’s interest, politically/economically, to continue the war
Biden in Helsinki was asked about Russia’s war on Ukraine: “I don't think the war can go on for years,” calls for a “negotiated settlement.”
NATO Secretary General: The membership of Finland and Sweden in NATO is a clear message to President Putin
