If I was running a country and preparing to cut cables like that, it would be because I’d infected the enemy with some type of virus that when activated would wreak havoc over their internet. I’d cut the cables immediately before activation. However, I might be smarter than the Russian leadership, and I don’t run a country.
BYD is also a battery company that makes cars. They can afford to lose a little on the car, when they make money overall.