Baltic undersea cable damage: Another submarine data cable between Sweden and Latvia was damaged, marking the fourth such case in the Baltic region recently.
Sweden Reports Damage to Key Cable
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed that a cable connecting Sweden and Latvia was damaged in the Baltic Sea. The damaged cable, owned by a Latvian company, adds to a string of recent incidents involving undersea infrastructure in the region.
Kristersson revealed, “At least one data cable has been damaged. I have remained in close contact with Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina throughout the day.” Similar incidents have occurred between Lithuania and Sweden, Germany and Finland, and Estonia and Finland over the past two months.
NATO to Strengthen Baltic Infrastructure Security
On 14 January, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced a new mission to protect undersea infrastructure in the Baltic. The initiative will include additional ships, specialized aviation, and undersea drones to safeguard against potential sabotage. NATO’s response underscores the rising concerns over the security of vital undersea cables.
EU Vows Solidarity and Infrastructure Resilience
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed strong solidarity with countries bordering the Baltic Sea after the latest cable damage. She stressed, “The resilience and security of our critical infrastructure is a top priority.”
Von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to improving detection, prevention, and repair capabilities in collaboration with international partners. The EU’s focus remains on safeguarding critical infrastructure amid heightened regional tensions.
