Recent incidents of undersea cable damage in the Baltic Sea have intensified regional tensions and raised concerns of sabotage. Latvia dispatched a warship following the damage to a fiber-optic cable that connects Sweden and Latvia. Initial findings suggest the damage resulted from external factors. This incident follows a series of similar occurrences since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has led to suspicions of hybrid attacks attributed to Russia.
The Latvian Navy identified a suspicious vessel, the 'Michalis San,' in the vicinity during the incident. Meanwhile, Swedish authorities seized another ship, 'Vezhen,' suspected of involvement in damaging the cables. Investigations are underway, with NATO deploying patrol ships under the new 'Baltic Sentry' mission to enhance surveillance of critical infrastructure.
Authorities are focusing on the potential role of Russia's so-called shadow fleet in these incidents. These are older ships operating under foreign flags, allegedly circumventing the oil embargo imposed due to the Ukraine conflict. The suspicion is that these vessels may be deliberately cutting cables with their anchors.
The European Union and NATO have expressed full solidarity with the affected countries, emphasizing the importance of resilience and security for critical infrastructure. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underscored the necessity of safeguarding these essential networks.
The Baltic nations are enhancing protection measures as they transition away from Russian energy networks. This situation underscores the geopolitical significance of the region and the ongoing struggle for influence and control over vital communication and energy links.
