Key Highlights:

• An undersea fiber optic cable between Latvia and Sweden was damaged, likely due to external influence.
• Latvia has launched a coordinated investigation with NATO, which has increased its maritime presence in the region.
• Swedish authorities seized the Maltese-flagged bulk carrier Vezhen, suspected of being involved in the cable breach.
• The incident is part of a worrying trend of damage to vital undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.
• Investigations continue to clarify the circumstances surrounding the event while alternative communication routes are established.

On January 26, an undersea fiber optic cable connecting Latvia to Sweden possibly sustained significant damage, likely due to external factors, prompting swift actions from both Latvian and Swedish authorities. After a thorough assessment, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa announced that the cable had been compromised and termed the damage "significant". This situation escalated with the dispatch of Latvia's navy and collaboration with NATO partners in the Baltic Sea to uncover the source of the disturbance. According to Reuters, NATO's Baltic Sentry operation involves deploying naval patrols to safeguard critical infrastructure in response to a growing threat.

The cable in question links the Latvian town of Ventspils with Sweden's Gotland island and was damaged within Sweden’s exclusive economic zone. Calls for heightened protection of undersea infrastructure have intensified following previous incidents that have seen fiber optic cables and utility lines attacked since Russia’s escalation in Ukraine.

Further complicating matters, a Maltese-flagged vessel named the Vezhen has been seized by Swedish authorities following suspicions of involvement in the cable damage. As reported by both The Guardian and CNN, the bulk carrier was closely monitored by the Swedish coast guard after it was escorted to a nearby naval base for investigation. Swedish Security Services confirmed that personnel boarded the Vezhen to initiate investigative processes.

While initial reports have not definitively ascribed fault to the Vezhen, its involvement in the vicinity during the time of the cable breach raises concerns. The vessel’s captain has stated that adverse weather conditions may have contributed to the incident, with one of the ship's anchors possibly impacting the undersea cable. “We have determined that there is most likely external damage and that it is significant," noted Prime Minister Siliņa as investigations continue to ascertain further details of this delicate situation.

The operator of the cable, the Latvian State Radio and Television Centre (LVRTC), has indicated that there are provisionary routes available for communications while repairs are sought. The nature of the damage will only be verified once proper inspection and repair work begins. Newsweek highlighted that this incident follows a series of similar threats to undersea cables across the Baltic region, signifying an urgent need for reinforcement of security measures.

As investigations unfold, the implications of this incident on regional security and infrastructure integrity are being closely monitored by NATO and local regulators.

For more information, follow the coverage from South China Morning Post.