Paul Moss

Now, the reason why Abedini was arrested was, this explains the American link, is that it was on a US arrest warrant. He was wanted, along with another man, in connection with allegedly smuggling information about US drones to the Iranians, electronic equipment. And that electronic drone equipment is thought to have been involved in the killing of three Americans Air Force personnel in Jordan.

Now, the reason why Abedini was arrested was, this explains the American link, is that it was on a US arrest warrant. He was wanted, along with another man, in connection with allegedly smuggling information about US drones to the Iranians, electronic equipment. And that electronic drone equipment is thought to have been involved in the killing of three Americans Air Force personnel in Jordan.

Paul Kirby.

Paul Kirby.

The Estlink 2 cable, as it's called, stopped working on Christmas Day and it didn't really require a major investigation to guess why this happened because at exactly the same time it stopped, a ship passed overhead, slowing down as it did so. This was the Eagle S. registered to the Cook Islands in the Pacific. But Finland believes it was controlled by Russia.

The Estlink 2 cable, as it's called, stopped working on Christmas Day and it didn't really require a major investigation to guess why this happened because at exactly the same time it stopped, a ship passed overhead, slowing down as it did so. This was the Eagle S. registered to the Cook Islands in the Pacific. But Finland believes it was controlled by Russia.

They boarded the ship and they found evidence that the anchor had been dragged along the seabed to sever the cable. And you could have forgiven them for having a sense of deja vu because in November, a communications cable just off Sweden was also severed just as a Chinese ship passed overhead and slowed down. Now, we should say that undersea cables do sometimes malfunction.

They boarded the ship and they found evidence that the anchor had been dragged along the seabed to sever the cable. And you could have forgiven them for having a sense of deja vu because in November, a communications cable just off Sweden was also severed just as a Chinese ship passed overhead and slowed down. Now, we should say that undersea cables do sometimes malfunction.

But these two are just the latest in an increasing number, way too many, many think to be a coincidence.

But these two are just the latest in an increasing number, way too many, many think to be a coincidence.

Well, they're just launching patrols, they say, to have ships to protect the remaining cable, the Estlink-1. The Estonian Defence Minister, Hanno Pevko, has described this as critical marine infrastructure. And you can see why the two cables, S-Link 1 and 2, carry electricity from Finland. If the S-Link 1 was also cut, well, you know, they could carry on.

Well, they're just launching patrols, they say, to have ships to protect the remaining cable, the Estlink-1. The Estonian Defence Minister, Hanno Pevko, has described this as critical marine infrastructure. And you can see why the two cables, S-Link 1 and 2, carry electricity from Finland. If the S-Link 1 was also cut, well, you know, they could carry on.

They would still have electricity in Estonia, but the price would rise. And Mr. Pevko called for other NATO countries to help protect the cables. As you say, this looks like it's going to happen. NATO has said within the last hour. It will step up patrols in the Baltic. This sounds like it's becoming a bit of a military matter. And I don't suppose really we should be surprised.

They would still have electricity in Estonia, but the price would rise. And Mr. Pevko called for other NATO countries to help protect the cables. As you say, this looks like it's going to happen. NATO has said within the last hour. It will step up patrols in the Baltic. This sounds like it's becoming a bit of a military matter. And I don't suppose really we should be surprised.

I mean, if a Russian aeroplane dropped a bomb on a NATO member states power station, we would see that as a direct attack. It is not particularly different, though less violent, perhaps, if it uses a ship to cut a power supply. This is allegedly a direct physical attack by Russia on a NATO country's infrastructure, and it follows what seems to have been a similar Chinese one.

I mean, if a Russian aeroplane dropped a bomb on a NATO member states power station, we would see that as a direct attack. It is not particularly different, though less violent, perhaps, if it uses a ship to cut a power supply. This is allegedly a direct physical attack by Russia on a NATO country's infrastructure, and it follows what seems to have been a similar Chinese one.

Well, you know, I think Russia's been rather busy the last 24 hours denying that it was responsible for shooting down an Azerbaijani plane. Hasn't had much time to deny severing a cable. But the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Friday brushed off a question about this, said it had nothing to do with Russia.

Well, you know, I think Russia's been rather busy the last 24 hours denying that it was responsible for shooting down an Azerbaijani plane. Hasn't had much time to deny severing a cable. But the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Friday brushed off a question about this, said it had nothing to do with Russia.

But then you've got to remember, Russia often is in a sort of strange situation of doublespeak with these things where it denies any responsibility. but actually doesn't want you to believe the denial. It would suit Russia if the Baltic countries believe their cables are under threat. They have to divert their Navy equipment, Navy boats, as it seems they're doing to protect these cables.

But then you've got to remember, Russia often is in a sort of strange situation of doublespeak with these things where it denies any responsibility. but actually doesn't want you to believe the denial. It would suit Russia if the Baltic countries believe their cables are under threat. They have to divert their Navy equipment, Navy boats, as it seems they're doing to protect these cables.