Event 61

{
  "border_violation_countries": [
    "Finland",
    "Estonia",
    "BSR"
  ],
  "border_violation_modes": [
    "Undersea",
    "Sabotage"
  ],
  "category": "Uncategorized",
  "confidence": "Low",
  "confidence_rationale": "Multiple official statements from Finnish and Estonian ministers, identification of a suspect vessel, and indications from investigators are cited. China has been contacted for cooperation.",
  "countries": [
    "Finland",
    "Estonia",
    "China",
    "Sweden",
    "Baltic Sea Region"
  ],
  "country": "Finland",
  "defense_prep": {},
  "description": "Finnish and Estonian authorities state that all evidence indicates the rupture of the Balticconnector Baltic Sea pipeline was likely intentional, and that a Chinese ship, the NewNew Polar Bear, is the main suspect for dragging an anchor across the pipeline. Both countries have contacted Chinese authorities for cooperation. Statements raise questions about the incident's potential deliberateness and international involvement.",
  "event_time_utc": "2023-12-01T12:00:00Z",
  "evidence": [
    "Finnish and Estonian ministers' public statements implicating the Chinese vessel.",
    "Investigators' identification of the anchor-dragging cause and suspect vessel.",
    "Coordination between Finland, Estonia, and Chinese authorities.",
    "Public statement by Finnish Minister of European Affairs Anders Adlercreutz attributing likely intentional sabotage to a Chinese vessel.",
    "Official investigation links anchor dragging by Chinese vessel Newnew Polar Bear to pipeline and cable damage.",
    "Finnish and Estonian authorities are coordinating with Chinese officials, and the vessel is reportedly at a Chinese port for further investigation."
  ],
  "evidence_quotes": [
    "‘Everything indicates’ Chinese ship damaged Baltic pipeline on purpose, Finland says",
    "An investigation by Finnish authorities has identified as the main suspect Chinese container ship NewNew Polar Bear, which is believed to have dragged its anchor across the Baltic Sea seabed, cutting through the cable and gas tube.",
    "Finland and Estonia have since been in touch with Chinese authorities seeking their cooperation with the investigation.",
    "‘If I was a captain who would have done something that the Chinese government wouldn't approve of, then I would be concerned about returning with my boat to China,’ he said.",
    "The vessel’s imminent return to China raises some questions, he said.",
    "Finland and Estonia have been investigating the rupture of the Balticconnector, a 77-kilometer-long gas pipeline that connects the two NATO countries beneath the Baltic Sea. The pipeline was damaged around October 7-8",
    "An investigation by Finnish authorities has identified as the main suspect Chinese container ship Newnew Polar Bear, which is believed to have dragged its anchor across the Baltic Sea seabed, cutting through the cable and gas tubes.",
    "A Finnish minister: 'I think everything indicates that it was intentional.'"
  ],
  "evidence_urls": [
    "https://www.politico.eu/article/balticconnector-damage-likely-to-be-intentional-finnish-minister-says-china-estonia/"
  ],
  "extra": {
    "extra": {
      "extra": {
        "extra": {
          "evidence": [
            "Finnish and Estonian ministers' public statements implicating the Chinese vessel.",
            "Investigators' identification of the anchor-dragging cause and suspect vessel.",
            "Coordination between Finland, Estonia, and Chinese authorities."
          ]
        }
      }
    }
  },
  "follow_up_by_country": [
    {
      "country": "Finland",
      "status": "Investigation"
    },
    {
      "country": "Estonia",
      "status": "Investigation"
    },
    {
      "country": "China",
      "status": "Official Statement"
    }
  ],
  "follow_up_notes": "Baltic Sea, Balticconnector. Public forum discussion. Investigation continuing.  I would think that you would notice that you re dragging an anchor behind you for hundreds of kilometers,  says minister.",
  "headline": "‘Everything indicates’ Chinese ship damaged Baltic pipeline on purpose, Finland says",
  "location_text": "Baltic Sea (Balticconnector pipeline, between Finland and Estonia)",
  "media_assets": [
    {
      "captured_at": "2025-11-23T16:19:35.983729Z",
      "description": "Screenshot capture",
      "hash": "eefe873768e42edb7986f46c572c93e2cf97fa27590ae05599a9e83b81caa221",
      "mime": "image/jpeg",
      "origin": "restore",
      "size_bytes": 1848412,
      "source_url": null,
      "type": "screenshot",
      "url": "/media/event_61_1763914775_a586e5e2.jpg"
    }
  ],
  "notes": "Balticconnector Investigation",
  "schema_version": "v1",
  "screenshot_count": 1,
  "sources": [
    "https://www.politico.eu/article/balticconnector-damage-likely-to-be-intentional-finnish-minister-says-china-estonia/"
  ],
  "summary_short": "Finnish officials state a Chinese ship likely caused intentional damage to the Balticconnector pipeline, dragging its anchor across the Baltic Sea.",
  "url": "https://www.politico.eu/article/balticconnector-damage-likely-to-be-intentional-finnish-minister-says-china-estonia/"
}

{
  "5th Column of Russians Inside (which countries)": "",
  "Attack Type": "",
  "Borders Including Sea, Air,  Violation or Sabotage (which countries)": "BSR",
  "Continuous? (e.g. Jammers)": "",
  "Country (FI;EE;LV;LT;PL;BSR;Air)\nSeparated by Semicolon": "EE;BSR",
  "Date": "1-Dec-23",
  "Defense Prep Event (FI-EE-LV-LT-PL)": "",
  "Defense Prep Event (FI-EE-LV-LT-PL) REF LINK": "",
  "Follow-Up Link?  (FI,EE,LV,LT,PL, BSR, Air)": "https://www.politico.eu/article/balticconnector-damage-likely-to-be-intentional-finnish-minister-says-china-estonia/",
  "Follow-Up NOTES": "",
  "Follow-Up incl. Investigation, Prosecution?  (FI,EE,LV,LT,PL, BSR, Air)": "Baltic Sea, Balticconnector. Public forum discussion. Investigation continuing.  I would think that you would notice that you re dragging an anchor behind you for hundreds of kilometers,  says minister. ",
  "Latitude, Longitude (WGS84, Decimal Degrees)": "",
  "NOTES": "Balticconnector Investigation",
  "Political Disruptions w/ Laws to Favor Kremlin (which countries)": "",
  "Russian-Belarus Terrorist Event (FI-EE-LV-LT-PL)": "",
  "Russian-Belarus Terrorist Event (FI-EE-LV-LT-PL) REF LINK": "",
  "Screen Snapshot": "",
  "Screen Snapshots": "",
  "Type Dropdown": "",
  "Where?\n(Air, Land, Sea)": ""
}