International-News

Damaged submarine cable between Sweden and Latvia: investigation for aggravated sabotage

Swedish authorities seize suspicious vessel. No data loss confirmed. International investigation continues with cooperation from NATO and the EU

Despite the damage to a submarine cable connecting Sweden with Latvia in the Baltic Sea, there has been no loss of data. This was stated by Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze during the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. The incident is now being investigated for ‘aggravated sabotage’ by the Swedish public prosecutor’s office, which has seized a suspect ship identified as the Maltese-flagged Vezhen. The ship was anchored near the port of Karlskrona at the time of the damage.

International cooperation to ensure safety

The Latvian and Swedish authorities, together with NATO and partner countries such as Estonia, Finland, Norway and Great Britain, are working to strengthen the security of critical infrastructure. Minister Braze stressed the need for coordinated actions to monitor Russian activities, including those of the so-called ‘shadow fleet’, and to impose further sanctions on the Kremlin. ‘A weak Russia is the best guarantee for the whole of Europe and the Euro-Atlantic space,’ she said.

Damage detected in Sweden’s exclusive economic zone

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa confirmed that the damage to the cable was located in Sweden’s exclusive economic zone. She also reiterated the importance of cooperation with allies to patrol the area and intensify the exchange of information. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also emphasised the cooperation with Latvia and NATO to shed light on the incident and ensure the safety of critical infrastructure.

European reactions: focus on infrastructure resilience

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed on X her ‘full solidarity’ with the Baltic countries. Von der Leyen emphasised that ‘the resilience and security of the EU’s critical infrastructure is a top priority’ and promised enhanced efforts to detect, prevent and repair damage to submarine cables through collaboration with global partners.

THE LATEST NEWS