Incident in the Baltic Sea: Undersea Cable Damaged Between Sweden and Latvia

Authorities from Sweden and Latvia reported on Sunday, January 26, damage to an undersea cable connecting the two countries, raising fresh concerns in the Baltic Sea region.

Swift Response from Authorities

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed the incident on the social media platform X, noting that the cable belongs to a Latvian entity. “I have been in close contact with my colleague Evika Silina throughout the day,” he stated.

In response, Latvia dispatched a warship to the site of the damage and identified a “suspect vessel,” the Michalis San, along with two other ships present in the area at the time of the incident. Initial analyses revealed that the damage occurred in Swedish territorial waters at a depth of at least 50 meters.

European Support and Ongoing Threats

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her “full solidarity” with the two nations, emphasizing the need to safeguard critical infrastructure. “The security and resilience of our critical infrastructure are top priorities,” she stressed.

This incident is part of a series of recent suspected sabotage acts targeting undersea cables in the Baltic Sea. Energy and communication infrastructure have been repeatedly damaged, with many experts and political leaders suggesting Russia is conducting a “hybrid war” aimed at destabilizing Western countries.

Strengthening Infrastructure Defenses

In light of these recurring incidents, Baltic Sea nations are intensifying efforts to protect their critical infrastructure and monitor maritime activities in this strategically vital region.