RIGA – Latvia dispatched a warship on Sunday after damage to a fibre optic cable connecting the country to Sweden was discovered, raising concerns of potential sabotage.
Latvian navy commander, Maris Polencs, confirmed the incident occurred in Swedish territorial waters at a depth of over 50 metres and may have been caused by “external factors.”
The navy identified a “suspect vessel,” the Michalis San, which was in the vicinity of the incident alongside two other ships. According to naval traffic tracking websites, the Michalis San was en route to Russia.
This development comes amid heightened tensions in the Baltic Sea, with nations scrambling to protect undersea infrastructure following suspected sabotage incidents in recent months. NATO recently launched a new monitoring mission involving patrol ships and aircraft to deter attacks on critical infrastructure in the region.
Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina stated that authorities are collaborating with Sweden to investigate the cause of the damage. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed communication with Silina and pledged Sweden’s support, noting that the damaged cable belongs to Latvia’s state Radio and Television Centre (LVRTC).
The LVRTC reported “disruptions in data transmission services” and has initiated criminal procedural actions, though it assured that alternative solutions have minimised the impact on end users.
European Union President Ursula von der Leyen expressed solidarity with Sweden and Latvia, emphasising that protecting critical infrastructure remains a top priority for the EU.
This latest incident underscores growing concerns over the security of undersea infrastructure as geopolitical tensions between Russia and the West persist.
