Baltic states on high alert after fresh subsea cable damage incidents
Baltic nations are on high alert following a series of attacks on subsea infrastructure, with Latvia and Finland investigating incidents involving damaged underwater telecommunications cables. Latvian authorities are probing a cable disruption that connects Lithuania and Latvia, while Finnish officials have detained a cargo ship suspected of damaging a cable linked to Estonia. These developments raise significant concerns about the security of critical maritime infrastructure in the region.
Investigations Underway in Latvia and Finland
In Latvia, police reported that an undersea telecommunications cable in the Baltic Sea was damaged on Friday, triggering a thorough investigation. The cable in question connects Sventoji in Lithuania with Liepaja, Latvia, spanning approximately 65 kilometers. Investigators boarded a vessel on Sunday as part of their inquiry. Although the vessel and crew are cooperating with authorities, no detentions have been made at this time. Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina reassured the public that the incident has not impacted communications for users in Latvia.
Meanwhile, in Finland, authorities seized the general cargo ship Fitburg, suspecting it sabotaged an undersea telecoms cable that links Helsinki with Estonia across the Gulf of Finland. Finnish police discovered extensive anchor drag marks on the seabed, indicating that the ship’s anchor and chain may have caused significant damage over a lengthy distance. The Fitburg, registered under the flag of St Vincent and the Grenadines, was intercepted on December 31 while transporting steel products from Russia to Israel. Following a coordinated operation involving Finnish Border Guard helicopters and patrol vessels, one crew member was arrested, and others are under travel restrictions amid ongoing investigations into aggravated damage and interference with telecommunications.
Growing Concerns Over Baltic Security
These incidents contribute to escalating fears regarding the safety of subsea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, there have been numerous reports of outages affecting power cables, gas pipelines, and telecommunications. In response to these threats, NATO has increased its presence in the region, deploying frigates, aircraft, and naval drones to bolster security. Officials warn that the Baltic Sea is becoming a central battleground for what they describe as “hybrid threats” targeting essential maritime infrastructure.
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As investigations continue, authorities in both Latvia and Finland are focusing on the intent behind these incidents. Detective Chief Superintendent Risto Lohi emphasized the importance of evaluating the motives behind such actions, indicating that a collaborative effort among various agencies is underway to assess the broader implications of these attacks on regional stability.
