Sweden seizes ship after suspected Baltic Sea cable sabotage
3 min readSwedish authorities have seized a ship suspected of being involved in the sabotage of a crucial data cable under the Baltic Sea that connects Latvia. The vessel, identified as the Vezhen, is a Maltese-flagged ship that is now anchored off the Swedish port of Karlskrona. Prosecutors have launched an investigation into the incident, which is being treated as potential sabotage. Swedish police, military, and coast guard are collaborating on the inquiry.
Initial reports suggest that the Vezhen might have been responsible for damage to the undersea cable, which belongs to Latvia’s state broadcaster, LVRTC. Swedish media shared images showing the ship with a damaged anchor, which could be linked to the cable’s disruption. However, the Bulgarian shipping company, Navigation Maritime Bulgare, which operates the Vezhen, has provided an alternative explanation. They stated that the ship’s anchor had dropped to the sea floor due to high winds, denying any malicious intent. Despite this, the situation has raised concerns, and the investigation is ongoing.
Latvia’s military reported observing three ships in the area where the damage occurred, raising suspicions about the involvement of these vessels in the incident. This is not the first time the region has faced issues with undersea cables, as attacks on critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea have been on the rise. In response to these concerns, NATO launched a new mission earlier this month aimed at increasing security and monitoring undersea power and telecom cables, many of which have been targets of damage or sabotage.
The Vezhen incident comes less than a month after NATO’s Baltic Sentry mission was established. This new initiative involves enhanced patrols using aircraft, warships, and drones to better protect the region’s vital infrastructure. NATO has been particularly concerned about repeated damage to underwater cables, some of which have been linked to Russia. While the alliance has not directly accused Russia of involvement in the latest sabotage, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte expressed grave concern over the growing threats to European infrastructure. He highlighted the importance of increased vigilance, including monitoring Russia’s “shadow fleet”—a term used to describe ships with unclear ownership that are suspected of being used for illegal activities, such as carrying embargoed oil products.
The damage to the cable has raised alarms about the security of data transmission services, though Latvia’s LVRTC has reassured the public that end users will largely remain unaffected by the disruptions. The cable in question is critical to Latvia’s communication and data transmission, and the damage could have a wider impact on the country’s services, depending on the extent of the disruption.
The Vezhen incident is part of a broader pattern of damage to critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, which has sparked concerns about the vulnerability of these vital communication and energy links. In addition to the Vezhen case, Finnish authorities are investigating a potential connection between a Russian vessel and the sabotage of an electricity cable running between Finland and Estonia, further intensifying fears of targeted attacks on European infrastructure.
As the investigation into the Vezhen continues, the Swedish government, along with Latvia and NATO, are working closely to determine the full extent of the sabotage and prevent future incidents. NATO’s increased presence in the Baltic region, coupled with the new Baltic Sentry mission, demonstrates the alliance’s commitment to protecting European infrastructure from potential threats. However, the incident also underscores the growing risks faced by undersea cables and other vital infrastructure in a region increasingly seen as a flashpoint for geopolitical tensions.
In conclusion, the seizure of the Vezhen and the ongoing investigation into its involvement in the Baltic Sea cable damage have drawn attention to the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in the region. As NATO steps up its efforts to safeguard underwater cables, the situation highlights the potential dangers posed by sabotage and the need for continued vigilance in the face of escalating geopolitical tensions.
Source: BBC
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