By OLIVIA CHRISTIE

Published: 08:00 GMT, 27 January 2025 | Updated: 08:00 GMT, 27 January 2025

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An underwater cable in the Baltic sea was damaged on Sunday, sparking fresh fears of foreign sabotage. The fibre optic line that runs between Latvia and Sweden was likely targeted by an ‘external influence’, Riga said. Latvia’s navy has identified a boat it suspects of being involved in the incident – with two other vessels that were in the area also under investigation.

'We have determined that there is most likely external damage and that it is significant,' Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina (pictured) said following an urgent government meeting. Latvia is coordinating with NATO and the countries of the Baltic Sea region to clarify the circumstances, she said separately in a post on X. It comes after NATO said last week it would deploy forces in the Baltic Sea to protect critical infrastructure, adding it reserved the right to take action against ships suspected of posing a security threat.

‘We have determined that there is most likely external damage and that it is significant,’ Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina (pictured) said following an urgent government meeting. Latvia is coordinating with NATO and the countries of the Baltic Sea region to clarify the circumstances, she said separately in a post on X. It comes after NATO said last week it would deploy forces in the Baltic Sea to protect critical infrastructure, adding it reserved the right to take action against ships suspected of posing a security threat.

The military alliance is taking the action, dubbed 'Baltic Sentry', following a string of incidents in which power cables, telecom links and gas pipelines have been damaged in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Finnish police last month seized a tanker carrying Russian oil after they suspected it of damaging the Finnish-Estonian Estlink 2 power line and four telecoms cables by dragging its anchor across the seabed.

The military alliance is taking the action, dubbed ‘Baltic Sentry’, following a string of incidents in which power cables, telecom links and gas pipelines have been damaged in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Finnish police last month seized a tanker carrying Russian oil after they suspected it of damaging the Finnish-Estonian Estlink 2 power line and four telecoms cables by dragging its anchor across the seabed.

Finland's prime minister said the latest cable damage highlighted the need to increase protection for critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. Meanwhile in November, a 745-mile fibre optic cable running through the Baltic Sea from Helsinki to the German port of Rostock was also severed. The damage to the C-Lion1 cable was believed to have been the result of Russian sabotage.

Finland’s prime minister said the latest cable damage highlighted the need to increase protection for critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. Meanwhile in November, a 745-mile fibre optic cable running through the Baltic Sea from Helsinki to the German port of Rostock was also severed. The damage to the C-Lion1 cable was believed to have been the result of Russian sabotage.

Europe's security is threatened by Russia's war against Ukraine and 'hybrid warfare by malicious actors,' Finland and Germany said in a joint statement, without naming the actors. The cable that broke on Sunday linked the Latvian town of Ventspils with Sweden's Gotland island. It was damaged in Sweden's exclusive economic zone, the Latvian navy has said.

Europe’s security is threatened by Russia’s war against Ukraine and ‘hybrid warfare by malicious actors,’ Finland and Germany said in a joint statement, without naming the actors. The cable that broke on Sunday linked the Latvian town of Ventspils with Sweden’s Gotland island. It was damaged in Sweden’s exclusive economic zone, the Latvian navy has said.

However, the Swedish navy has said it is too early to say what caused the damage to the cable or whether it was intentional. 'We don't know, it's too early in the investigation. We don't even know if this is an accident or a fault in the cable,' spokesperson Jimmie Adamsson said, adding that NATO is primarily responsible for the investigation. 'NATO ships and aircrafts are working together with national resources from the Baltic Sea countries to investigate and, if necessary, take action,' the alliance said on Sunday.

However, the Swedish navy has said it is too early to say what caused the damage to the cable or whether it was intentional. ‘We don’t know, it’s too early in the investigation. We don’t even know if this is an accident or a fault in the cable,’ spokesperson Jimmie Adamsson said, adding that NATO is primarily responsible for the investigation. ‘NATO ships and aircrafts are working together with national resources from the Baltic Sea countries to investigate and, if necessary, take action,’ the alliance said on Sunday.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said his country was cooperating closely with NATO and Latvia. 'Sweden will contribute important capabilities to the ongoing effort to investigate the suspected incident,' Kristersson said on X. Communications providers were able to switch to alternative transmission routes, the cable's operator, Latvian State Radio and Television Centre (LVRTC), said.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said his country was cooperating closely with NATO and Latvia. ‘Sweden will contribute important capabilities to the ongoing effort to investigate the suspected incident,’ Kristersson said on X. Communications providers were able to switch to alternative transmission routes, the cable’s operator, Latvian State Radio and Television Centre (LVRTC), said.

'The exact nature of the damage can only be determined once cable repair work begins,' the operator added. A Swedish Post and Telecom Authority spokesperson said it was aware of the situation but had no further comment. The Swedish navy and coast guard did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

‘The exact nature of the damage can only be determined once cable repair work begins,’ the operator added. A Swedish Post and Telecom Authority spokesperson said it was aware of the situation but had no further comment. The Swedish navy and coast guard did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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Underwater cable in the Baltic sea damaged by external influence

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