A Chinese ship is suspected of severing two critical internet cables in the Baltic Sea in an act of sabotage that may have been orchestrated by Russia.

Investigators believe that the Yi Peng 3, a Chinese-registered bulk carrier, deliberately severed the two key cables last week by dragging its anchor along the Baltic seabed for more than 100 miles.

The investigation is now focused on whether the captain of the 225-metre-long bulk carrier was directed to carry out the suspected sabotage by Moscow.

A senior European investigator told the Wall Street Journal: “It’s extremely unlikely that the captain would not have noticed that his ship dropped and dragged its anchor, losing speed for hours and cutting cables on the way.”

The incident has caused concern among Western nations that Russia is engaging in what the White House described as “hybrid warfare”, an accusation that the Kremlin denies.

The latest damage to cables in the Baltic Sea occurred in Swedish waters between Nov 17 and 18, according to the authorities.

The vessel had been making its way from Ust-Luga, in Russia, to Port Said, in Egypt, through the Baltic Sea, when the incident occurred.