Swedish prosecutors suspect sabotage in Baltic Sea cable incident

Recently, an underwater fiber optic cable connecting Latvia and the Swedish island of Gotland was damaged in the Baltic Sea. The incident allegedly involved a cargo ship that flies the Maltese flag and is currently under investigation by Swedish authorities. Swedish prosecutors suspect that the damage may be a result of sabotage rather than an accident. The damaged cable belongs to Latvia's state broadcaster, LVRTC, which reported disruptions in data transmission services, though most users remain unaffected. In response, Latvian Prime Minister Erika Silina stated that her country is cooperating with Sweden and NATO for a thorough inquiry. The Bulgarian shipping company, Navigation Maritime Bulgare, has claimed ownership of the vessel dubbed Vezhen, which was carrying fertilizer and en route to South America at the time of the incident. CEO Alexander Kalchev denied any malicious intent and suggested that the ship may have inadvertently caused the damage due to adverse weather conditions. He cited a crew report indicating that the ship experienced severe weather and that the anchor may have been inadvertently dragged along the seabed, which could have led to the cable being cut. Following the incident, the ship was detained while investigations were conducted. The automatic ship identification system shows that Vezhen passed over the damaged cable, but it remains unclear when the cable was actually severed. Various agencies, including the Swedish military and coast guard, are actively participating in the investigation, highlighting the seriousness of the situation amidst a backdrop of heightened security concerns in the Baltic region. This incident has drawn attention given the recent series of similar cable-cutting events in the area, raising alarms about potential risks to critical infrastructure. NATO has responded by increasing its surveillance of the Baltic Sea, particularly concerning Russia's shadow fleet - vessels that operate without clear ownership and are suspected of violating international sanctions. The ongoing situation reflects the complexities of international maritime operations and the potential geopolitical tensions in the region.