A fiber-optic telecommunications cable connecting Latvia and Sweden was damaged in the Baltic Sea on Sunday, adding to a series of recent incidents targeting undersea infrastructure in the region.
The damaged cable, owned by Latvia's state radio and television centre (LVRTC), runs between the Latvian town of Ventspils and Sweden's Gotland island. The incident occurred in Swedish territorial waters at a depth of over 50 meters.
Latvian naval forces identified a suspect vessel, the Michalis San, along with two other ships near the location when the damage occurred. The Michalis San was reportedly heading toward Russia at the time of the incident.
Both Latvia and Sweden have launched criminal investigations into what appears to be deliberate sabotage. "We have determined that there is most likely external damage," said Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina.
While the cable sustained substantial damage, LVRTC stated that alternative data transmission routes were quickly established, resulting in minimal impact on end users beyond potential minor speed delays.
The incident prompted swift military response, with Latvia dispatching a warship to patrol the area. NATO recently launched a dedicated monitoring mission in the Baltic Sea, deploying patrol ships and aircraft to protect undersea infrastructure.
This latest cable disruption follows similar incidents in recent months, including damage to telecom cables between Finland and Sweden in November. Western nations have expressed growing concern about potential Russian involvement in what they view as hybrid warfare tactics.
European Union President Ursula von der Leyen expressed solidarity with the affected nations, emphasizing the priority of protecting critical infrastructure. Both Swedish and Latvian authorities continue to work closely with NATO partners to investigate the incident and enhance regional security measures.