Massive New Black Sea Cable Project Set to Outsmart Russian Control of Internet Routes
By Cheyenne R. Ubiera, Daily Express US
October 20, 2025
Construction is set to begin on a high-capacity submarine cable that will be laid across the Black Sea to connect to Europe and Asia, completely bypassing Russia.
The Kardesa submarine cable system will have landing points in Bulgaria, Georgia, Turkey, and Ukraine, increasing the diversity of digital routes throughout the region. The Vodafone Group and Vodafone Ukraine, some of the largest mobile operators in the area, are working together on the project.
Construction on the first section of the cable is expected to begin in Bulgaria in 2027, with the project valued at over €100 million — $116,510,500. Construction will then follow to the other countries; however, work in Ukraine will only take place in internationally recognized safe zones.
Internet route diversity, or internet access through two or more different types of connections, has become more important as subsea cables are frequent targets for state-sponsored attacks, as well as being vulnerable to accidental anchor drags.
Kardesa will help with internet reliability and speed for consumers in the countries where it lands and will hopefully ignite inward investment into their digital economies.
According to Vodafone, the global demand for new internet traffic routes is growing. There are 5.8 billion mobile users worldwide, 80% of whom own smartphones.
The number is expected to rise by 12% by 2030, and there will be a greater demand for 5G, artificial intelligence, and streaming services. Submarine cable systems can carry roughly 98% of international internet traffic, according to the European Commission.
The project will also help stimulate the creation of infrastructure such as data centers, while promoting the economy and creating new jobs — especially for engineers, project managers, and IT specialists.
news via inbox
Sign up to get the latest updates straight to your inbox!
