Swedish Government Seizes Ship Linked to Suspected Baltic Sea Cable Attack

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Swedish authorities have seized a ship suspected of being involved in damaging a data cable running under the Baltic Sea to Latvia. The ship, named Vezhen and flagged in Malta, is currently anchored outside the Swedish port of Karlskrona.

Prosecutors have initiated an investigation, with initial findings indicating possible sabotage. Swedish police, military, and coast guard are involved in the inquiry, working together to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Images released by Swedish media show the Vezhen with a damaged anchor, which could potentially be linked to the cable disruption. This incident is raising concerns about the security of undersea infrastructure, as authorities continue to probe the matter.

However, on Monday, the Bulgarian shipping company Navigation Maritime Bulgare, which includes the Vezhen in its fleet, stated that the ship’s anchor had dropped to the sea floor due to high winds, and emphasized that there was no malicious intent behind the incident.

This statement comes in contrast to the initial findings of Swedish authorities, which suggested possible sabotage. On Sunday, Latvia’s military had reported observing three ships in the vicinity of the area where the damage to the data cable occurred. The investigation continues as authorities work to clarify the situation and determine the cause of the damage.

Less than a month ago, NATO launched a new mission in the Baltic Sea, called Baltic Sentry, in response to a series of attacks on underwater power and telecom cables. Some of these attacks have been attributed to Russia, raising concerns about the security of critical infrastructure in the region.

In response to the recent incident involving the Vezhen, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina confirmed that her country is working closely with Sweden and NATO to address the situation.

The damaged data cable belongs to Latvia’s state broadcaster, LVRTC. In a statement, LVRTC confirmed there had been “disruptions in data transmission services,” but assured that end users would be mostly unaffected by the issue.

Earlier this month, NATO’s Baltic Sentry mission was launched after several underwater cables in the Baltic Sea were damaged or severed in 2024, further highlighting the vulnerabilities of the region’s critical infrastructure.

NATO chief Mark Rutte emphasized that the newly launched Baltic Sentry mission would involve increased patrols by aircraft, warships, and drones to monitor the region more closely. Although Russia was not directly accused of causing the damage to the undersea cables, Rutte highlighted NATO’s heightened focus on monitoring Moscow’s “shadow fleet” — a network of ships with unclear ownership, often used to carry embargoed oil products.

Rutte expressed “grave concern” over the damage to critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea and made it clear that NATO would respond forcefully to any future incidents. This could involve more frequent boarding of suspect vessels and, if necessary, the seizure of those vessels.

In a related development, Finnish police revealed that they had been investigating the possibility of a Russian ship being involved in the sabotage of an electricity cable between Finland and Estonia, further intensifying concerns over potential foreign involvement in attacks on critical infrastructure.

The ongoing concerns over the security of undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea have prompted NATO to intensify its focus on potential threats. The Baltic Sentry mission aims to ensure the safety of critical undersea cables and power lines, with the alliance bolstering its patrols and surveillance capabilities in the region. The increased use of drones, warships, and aircraft will enable NATO to detect and respond quickly to any suspicious activities.

Rutte’s comments underscore the growing alarm within NATO about the possibility of further attacks, particularly given the strategic significance of these cables for communication and energy transmission. He stressed that any future disruptions would be met with a robust response, signaling NATO’s readiness to take more direct action, including boarding and potentially seizing vessels deemed a threat.

The investigation into the Finnish-Estonian electricity cable sabotage highlights the broader scope of concerns, with authorities looking into whether Russian ships played a role. This marks another instance of suspected sabotage involving Russian vessels, leading to heightened scrutiny of maritime activities around critical infrastructure in the Baltic region. With tensions rising, NATO and European nations are likely to continue ramping up efforts to protect these vital resources, especially in light of the ongoing geopolitical tensions with Russia.

Courtesy: WION

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