NewsSuspected sabotage on Baltic Sea cable prompts Swedish probe

Suspected sabotage on Baltic Sea cable prompts Swedish probe

The Swedish Security Service has launched an investigation into sabotage following an undersea cable failure in the Baltic Sea. According to the website www.aftonbladet.se, a suspicious ship has been detained. It was sailing from the Russian port of Ust-Luga.

A NATO naval vessel is docked at Ofelia Plads in Copenhagen Harbor, Denmark, 26 January 2025. The vessel A803 will participate in NATO's enhanced mission in the Baltic Sea, called Baltic Sentry. The mission aims to protect critical infrastructure such as wires and cables on the seabed. EPA/IDA MARIE ODGAARD DENMARK OUT Dostawca: PAP/EPA.
A NATO naval vessel is docked at Ofelia Plads in Copenhagen Harbor, Denmark, 26 January 2025. The vessel A803 will participate in NATO's enhanced mission in the Baltic Sea, called Baltic Sentry. The mission aims to protect critical infrastructure such as wires and cables on the seabed. EPA/IDA MARIE ODGAARD DENMARK OUT Dostawca: PAP/EPA.
Images source: © PAP | PAP/EPA/IDA MARIE ODGAARD
Violetta Baran

On Sunday morning (Eastern Time) - as reported by Latvian media - an undersea fibre-optic cable laid on the Baltic Sea bed between the western coast of Latvia and the Swedish island of Gotland was damaged. According to the Latvian broadcaster LSM, the damage likely resulted from "an external impact."

Data transmission between the Latvian city of Ventspils and Gotland was disrupted. However, the damages have not yet significantly affected service delivery in Latvia. The authorities are investigating the matter, and other methods of data transmission are being used, the media emphasize.

As reported by the Latvian Broadcasting and Television Centre (LVRTC), the cable is located at a depth of about 50 metres, and according to preliminary information, the location of the damage is within Sweden's exclusive economic zone.

Swedish authorities have launched an investigation into the matter, suspecting that the undersea cable in the Baltic Sea was intentionally damaged.

The investigation involves various institutions, such as the National Operational Department of the Police, the Coast Guard, and the Armed Forces. According to prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist, who is heading the case, Swedish authorities are making significant efforts to thoroughly investigate the incident, as reported by the website aftonbladet.se.

According to information from the site, authorities have already detained a ship suspected of sabotage. It is said to be the bulk carrier Vezhen, flying under the Maltese flag. The ship reportedly set sail from the Russian port of Ust-Luga in the Leningrad region on Friday morning.

The ship was seized based on a decision by the Swedish prosecutor's office. The authorities have not yet provided details of the case.

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