Someone cut a key communications cable to Norwegian Air Force base

The damage to the cable was discovered in April this year and shortly later reported to the police. The case is now handled by state prosecutors, newspaper Fremover (behind paywall) reports.

The cable is considered part of the airbase’s critical infrastructure. It has been deliberately cut straight across. The damage was inflicted outside the territory of the base, Fremover writes.

According to the Police, there are so far no suspects in the case. But investigators confirm that the damage is believed to have been conducted with purpose.

The Evenes Air Station is one of the most important bases of the Norwegian Air Force. It is located north of the Arctic Circle and houses the country’s fleet of Poseidon-8 surveillance aircraft. It is also used by F-35 fighter jets.

F35 fighter jets at the Evenes Air Station. Photo: Ole Andreas Vekve, Norwegian Armed Forces

The suspected sabotage comes as NATO countries repeatedly warn against malicious activity from Russian-backed actors.

In July this year, US military bases across Europe were placed on a heightened state of alert for the first time in a decade after intelligence showed that Russian-backed actors were planning sabotage attacks against US military personnel and facilities, CNN reported.

In August, German authorities temporary sealed of the Cologne military airport as a possible act of sabotage against the local water supply was investigated.

Also in Norway, there have been several suspected acts of sabotage against key infrastructure. That includes the rupture of one of the communications cables that connects the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard with the Norwegian mainland.