The operation was launched after significant damage to undersea cables in the Baltic Sea, including the BCS East-West Interlink, C-Lion1, and Estlink 2 cables. Finnish authorities suspect a Russia-linked tanker, the Eagle S, may have caused the damage. Edward Hunter Christie, a senior research fellow and former NATO official, emphasized that AI will be crucial in distinguishing suspicious ships from legitimate commercial activity. He noted that Russia relies on its shadow fleet for oil export revenues and cannot afford to lose vessels to cable sabotage.
Key takeaways:
- A UK-led coalition is using AI to track Russia's shadow fleet and detect threats to underwater cables.
- The operation, called Nordic Warden, involves 10 countries and uses AI to evaluate data from sources like the Automatic Identification System.
- Recent damage to undersea cables in the Baltic Sea has been linked to a Russia-linked ship, prompting increased monitoring efforts.
- AI technology allows for efficient monitoring of large sea areas with limited resources, enhancing protection against sabotage and negligence.