A wave of sabotage has struck Sweden's telecom infrastructure, leaving investigators scrambling for answers. Multiple telecom masts were targeted along a major highway in what officials describe as a coordinated strike.
Though services are largely unaffected, the scale and precision have sparked concerns.
According to investigators cited by Sweden's national public broadcaster SVT Nyheter, cables were severed and fuses and other technical equipment were destroyed during the attacks on masts, but nothing was taken, as per a report by Newsweek.
The attacks, which primarily targeted Swedish infrastructure along the E22, are suspected of being carried out by a single actor. Over 3,300 miles separate Russia in the east and the United Kingdom in the west via the European Road (E22).
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No significant disruptions were caused by the attacks, which started over Easter weekend. But it "stands out and is more than usual," Roger Gustafsson, the head of PTS security, told SVT.
In Europe, anti-5G activists have also targeted telecom masts for destruction because they think they are bad for people's health.
The head of serious crime in Kalmar, Sweden, Detective Superintendent Håkan Wessung told SVT that his security services are keeping an eye on the investigation and "we don't rule anything out."
In 2016, police in southwestern Sweden discovered that a 300-meter (almost 1,000-foot) telecommunications mast had been purposefully taken down, preventing 85,000 households from receiving emergency alerts or TV broadcasts, as per a report.
Although Swedish investigators have not yet publicly named a suspect, the attacks are a part of a larger pattern of sabotage against Swedish telecom infrastructure, and NATO allies have reported a sharp rise in Russian espionage in connection with the conflict in Ukraine.
According to Reuters, the public was worried about Russian involvement, and police suspected international saboteurs and pranksters.
Cyberattacks on defence companies, arson attacks on German logistics facilities, and the cutting of Baltic underwater communications cables are examples of sabotage attacks against NATO members, including Sweden.
The goal of ongoing international operations is to improve security and surveillance for the region's vital undersea and telecommunications infrastructure.
Investigators have not identified a suspect, but believe it could be the work of a single organized actor.
Did the attacks cause any major disruptions?
Not yet, but officials say the pattern and scale are unusual and cause concern.
Though services are largely unaffected, the scale and precision have sparked concerns.
What exactly happened along Sweden’s E22 highway?
According to Swedish authorities, there were about 30 sabotage attacks on telecommunications infrastructure that are still unaccounted for, most of which occurred along the along the E22 route.According to investigators cited by Sweden's national public broadcaster SVT Nyheter, cables were severed and fuses and other technical equipment were destroyed during the attacks on masts, but nothing was taken, as per a report by Newsweek.
The attacks, which primarily targeted Swedish infrastructure along the E22, are suspected of being carried out by a single actor. Over 3,300 miles separate Russia in the east and the United Kingdom in the west via the European Road (E22).
ALSO READ:Trump's Attorney General Pam Bondi now in the line of fire - here's what happened and why it matters
No significant disruptions were caused by the attacks, which started over Easter weekend. But it "stands out and is more than usual," Roger Gustafsson, the head of PTS security, told SVT.
In Europe, anti-5G activists have also targeted telecom masts for destruction because they think they are bad for people's health.
The head of serious crime in Kalmar, Sweden, Detective Superintendent Håkan Wessung told SVT that his security services are keeping an eye on the investigation and "we don't rule anything out."
Has anything like this happened in Sweden before?
Critical national infrastructure is at risk, as demonstrated by previous sabotage in Sweden.In 2016, police in southwestern Sweden discovered that a 300-meter (almost 1,000-foot) telecommunications mast had been purposefully taken down, preventing 85,000 households from receiving emergency alerts or TV broadcasts, as per a report.
Could foreign actors or extremists be involved?
Although Swedish investigators have not yet publicly named a suspect, the attacks are a part of a larger pattern of sabotage against Swedish telecom infrastructure, and NATO allies have reported a sharp rise in Russian espionage in connection with the conflict in Ukraine.According to Reuters, the public was worried about Russian involvement, and police suspected international saboteurs and pranksters.
Cyberattacks on defence companies, arson attacks on German logistics facilities, and the cutting of Baltic underwater communications cables are examples of sabotage attacks against NATO members, including Sweden.
What are the Swedish authorities up to?
Authorities in Sweden are still looking into the spate of sabotage incidents, working with NATO allies to track down potential threats and apprehend those responsible.The goal of ongoing international operations is to improve security and surveillance for the region's vital undersea and telecommunications infrastructure.
FAQs
Who is behind the sabotage in Sweden?Investigators have not identified a suspect, but believe it could be the work of a single organized actor.
Did the attacks cause any major disruptions?
Not yet, but officials say the pattern and scale are unusual and cause concern.
