Vladimir Putin threat of 'worldwide blackouts' as NATO issues chilling warning

 

NATO Warns of Potential Global Blackouts from Russian Sabotage of Undersea Cables

NATO has raised alarms over the threat of a new Russian weapon that could trigger global blackouts—the deliberate sabotage of undersea communication cables by the Kremlin's so-called "shadow fleet." Executives from major telecom companies including Vodafone, Orange, and Telefónica have issued an open letter to the UK, EU, and NATO, warning that these vital and largely unprotected cables are at serious risk.

"The consequences of damaging subsea cables would extend far beyond Europe," the letter states, "potentially crippling global internet and power systems, disrupting international communication, financial transactions, and critical infrastructure worldwide."

The executives urged immediate action: “Subsea cable security must become a central focus of infrastructure defense. By acting now, we can protect the networks that support our shared global future.” Around 95% of the world’s data is transmitted via over 500 undersea cables—many of which have recently been targeted in a series of attacks.

Global leaders and defense officials have condemned these incidents, attributing them directly to Russia, despite the Kremlin's denials. Their suspicions stem from the known presence of Russia’s commercial “shadow fleet” in affected areas during the attacks.

Since October 2023, at least 11 attacks have been reported—mostly in the Baltic Sea, with some in the North Sea—fueling concerns of a broader, coordinated sabotage campaign. These fears were further intensified after Russia’s Yantar spy ship was spotted mapping underwater infrastructure in the North Sea.

Meanwhile, China is suspected of carrying out similar surveillance in waters near Taiwan.

In a stark message in January, UK Defence Secretary John Healey directly addressed Putin: “We see you. We know what you are doing. And we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country.”

With critical UK offshore infrastructure—such as pipelines, electrical cables, and energy systems—under threat, concerns are growing about potential disruptions to essential services, including the NHS. In response, Parliament has launched a joint committee inquiry to explore defensive strategies.

Matt Western, chair of the committee, emphasized the urgency: “As the geopolitical climate worsens, hostile states are looking for asymmetric ways to put us at risk. Our undersea cable network increasingly looks like a vulnerable soft underbelly.”