Damage to Undersea Cables in the Baltic Sea Sparks NATO Investigation

NATO Investigates Damage to Undersea Cable in Baltic Sea

A new incident of damage has been reported to an undersea cable in the Baltic Sea, with NATO officials investigating the cause and scope of the damage. The telecommunications link between Sweden and Latvia was found to have suffered significant damage early on Sunday.

The exact cause of the damage is still unknown, but it is believed to have been caused by an external party. Latvian officials announced that they are working closely with their regional allies, including NATO, to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Baltic Sea Cables Under Scrutiny

This latest incident follows a string of undersea cables being targeted in recent months, raising concerns about the vulnerability of this critical infrastructure. Investigators have previously suggested that Russia’s “shadow fleet” of vessels may be responsible for these attacks, with the damage caused by allowing ship anchors to scrape the sea floor.

The European Union‘s foreign policy chief has announced plans to discuss how to better prevent and respond to hybrid threats in light of the Russian campaign against Ukraine.

Response from NATO and Regional Allies

NATO officials have deployed ships and aircraft alongside regional allies to investigate the site of the incident, located in the exclusive economic zone of Sweden. The presence of these allies is seen as enabling a swift and coordinated response.

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina has called a meeting of the relevant ministries and services, while Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has stated that his country, Latvia, and NATO are working closely together on this matter.

Investigation Underway

The Latvian Navy has analyzed the movements in the area and dispatched a patrol ship to a vessel that was near the scene of the damage. No suspicious activity on board or damage to the anchor was detected. Two other ships were identified in the approximate area of the damage, according to a Latvian army statement.

The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring the security and resilience of undersea cables, which are critical infrastructure for global communication and trade.