Authorities in Sweden and Latvia are investigating potential sabotage after an undersea fiber-optic cable between the two countries was damaged in late January 2025. The incident is the latest in a series of disruptions to critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, raising concerns over security in the region.
Swedish authorities have seized the Maltese-flagged vessel Vezhen near Karlskrona, suspecting it may have been involved in the cable damage. According to reports, the ship’s anchor might have caused the rupture, but investigators are also considering the possibility of intentional sabotage.
This follows similar incidents in the past year, including the October 2024 damage to the C-Lion1 cable between Finland and Estonia. These disruptions have heightened security tensions, particularly in light of speculation over potential foreign interference.
A Swedish defense expert has suggested that Russia could be behind the latest cable damage, though no official accusations have been made. Meanwhile, NATO has increased patrols in the Baltic Sea to monitor and protect undersea infrastructure.
As investigations continue, European governments are reviewing strategies to secure vital communication networks against potential future threats.
