Baltic Sea: Another submarine cable in the damaged

Another submarine cable has been damaged in the Baltic Sea – this time between Sweden and Latvia. Both states are now investigating the case together with NATO. The cable of the Latvian State Radio and Television Center was damaged early this morning, in the sea area between Ventspils and Gotland. The authorities of the Baltic country announced this during a press conference in Riga.

The cause is therefore still unclear. The damage is in Sweden’s exclusive economic zone and, according to initial indications, is due to external influences, as it was said at the press conference. It was later said that the Swedish public prosecutor’s office was opening a preliminary investigation into alleged “serious sabotage”. A ship suspected of having committed the sabotage has been confiscated, the authorities announced on Sunday evening.

NATO said ships and aircraft were deployed alongside regional allies to investigate the incident. “The Allies’ presence in the region enables a rapid and coordinated response,” a NATO spokesman told the German Press Agency.

In recent weeks, suspected acts of sabotage by the so-called Russian shadow fleet on cables and lines in the Baltic Sea have repeatedly caused a stir. The damage is said to have been caused intentionally by ship anchors. Russia has been waging a war of aggression against Ukraine for almost three years.

The Latvian Radio and Television Center reported the cable was “significantly” damaged. The damage should not have any impact on the data transmission of Latvian end users.

Prime Minister Evika Silina therefore called a meeting of the responsible ministries and services. Latvia is in contact with Sweden, other states bordering the Baltic Sea and NATO to clarify the circumstances, she said. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson wrote on X that Sweden, Latvia and NATO were working closely together on this matter.

The Latvian Navy conducted an analysis of ship movements in the area and dispatched a patrol vessel to a ship that was near the site of the damage. No suspicious activity on board or damage to the anchor was found, said Marine Chief Maris Polencs. The inspected ship is on its way to Russia and is waiting for the next clearance from the shipping agent to continue its journey. Two other ships were identified in the approximate area of ​​damage to underwater infrastructure, the Latvian Armed Forces said in a statement.