An undersea fiber optic cable linking Latvia and Sweden sustained damage on Sunday, in an incident that Latvian authorities attribute to external interference. The cable, critical for communication between the Latvian town of Ventspils and Sweden's Gotland island, suffered the damage within Sweden's exclusive economic zone in the Baltic Sea. This event has prompted an investigation by local and NATO maritime forces to determine the cause and extent of the damage.
Latvia's Prime Minister, Evika Silina, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, "We have determined that there is most likely external damage and that it is significant." The exact nature of the damage remains undetermined until repair work begins. The cable was installed at depths exceeding 50 meters (164 feet), which adds complexity to the repair efforts.
NATO has initiated "Baltic Sentry," a mission to safeguard critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. This operation involves deploying frigates, patrol aircraft, and naval drones to enhance security. A NATO spokesperson noted, "NATO ships and aircrafts are working together with national resources from the Baltic Sea countries to investigate and, if necessary, take action."
Sweden is playing a key role in the investigation. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson remarked, "Sweden will contribute important capabilities to the ongoing effort to investigate the suspected incident." Despite this active involvement, a spokesperson from the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority acknowledged awareness of the situation but refrained from further comments.
The incident underscores an urgent need to bolster protection for critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, a sentiment echoed by Finland's leadership. Latvia is coordinating with NATO and other Baltic Sea nations to clarify the circumstances surrounding the damage.
While this event raises concerns over infrastructure vulnerabilities, history shows that damaged cables have been restored within weeks in the past, unlike more complex repairs required for seabed gas pipelines and power cables.
