Sweden has opened a preliminary investigation into suspected aggravated “sabotage” and ordered the detention of a vessel in the Baltic Sea suspected of damaging an underwater fiber optic cable connecting Latvia and the Swedish island of Gotland earlier that day.
Shit. Quit talking about it and start acting on it. Russia will not stop this bullshit until they start either escorting every RU originating vessel or full out call them on this.
I’ve mentioned it before, but I’ll say it again: It’s getting to a point where I would like to see the coast guard or navy simply sail up to one of these ships, say nothing, put a couple 76mm shells in their bow to sink them, and sail away. When Russia and/or China come bitching you answer “What? No! These are baseless accusations! We haven’t even had a ship in that area for months!” make sure to keep the AIS turned on during the entire thing for added effect.
See how long they keep cutting cables after you’ve done that a couple times.
Russia doesn’t care about calling out. They’ll just complain about the lack of proof and how unfair the West is.
They’ll respond more to use of force and playing their stupid game. Seize a few Russian ships by “pirates” or have a few sudden “machine room fires” and tell Russia “for your safety, stay away from that region or pay us for an escort”.
Thus calling them out on it. Russia only ever responds to action.
@comador @SlopppyEngineer what Russia does respond to is shutting down their oligarchs’ bank accounts the world over. Confiscate their yachts and send their wives and kids home. They can’t stand it. Drives them nuts. The wives can’t shop and the kids whine and complain, while the mistresses want attention but they can’t pay for anything. Hey, learn to play the game the Russian way. Diplomacy just does not work with them. Never has. But turning off the money? Every time.