An underwater data cable connecting Sweden and Latvia has been severed in the Baltic Sea, officials from both countries revealed on January 26. The incident prompted Sweden to launch a criminal investigation and seize a ship suspected of sabotage.
Latvia dispatched a warship on January 26 after a cable connecting it to Sweden was severed, possibly "due to external factors".
The Latvian Navy said it had identified the suspect ship Michalis San near the incident site along with two other vessels.
According to several shipping traffic tracking websites, the Michalis San is headed to Russia. No further information about the Michalis San is available at this time.
Countries around the Baltic Sea are stepping up their defences after a series of submarine cable sabotage incidents in recent months, AFP notes. Several telecommunications and power cables have been severed in the Baltic Sea in recent months.
In early January 2025, NATO announced the deployment of a new surveillance mission in the Baltic Sea, including patrol ships and aircraft to detect any attempts to target underwater infrastructure in the region.
“We have a warship patrolling the Baltic Sea 24/7, which allows us to quickly mobilize the ship when damage occurs,” Latvian Navy Commander Maris Polencs shared at a press conference on January 26.
"We have informed the Swedish government and are cooperating to evaluate the damage and the cause," Latvia Prime Minister Evika Silina said.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed that he had contacted Silina on January 26.
“There is information that at least one data cable between Sweden and Latvia in the Baltic Sea has been damaged. The cable belongs to a Latvian organization. Sweden, Latvia and NATO are working closely on this issue. Sweden will contribute to the investigation into this suspicious incident,” he said.
The latest cable break occurred in Swedish territorial waters, at a depth of about 50 meters, officials said.
The newly broken cable belongs to the Latvian state radio and television broadcasting center (LVRTC) leading to disruption in data transmission services.
LVRTC said it had found an alternative solution and users were largely unaffected although "there may be a delay in data transmission speeds".
“Based on the current findings, it is likely that the cable was significantly damaged by external factors. LVRTC has initiated criminal proceedings,” the center said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has voiced her support for the countries affected by the latest cable break in the Baltic Sea. “Resilience and security of critical infrastructure are top priorities,” she stressed.
