Latvia investigating ‘significant’ damage to undersea fibre optic cable with Sweden
Latvia investigating ‘significant’ damage to undersea fibre optic cable with Sweden
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An undersea fibre optic cable between Latvia and Sweden was damaged by “external” actors, Latvia said on Sunday. The country said it was investigating three vessels suspected of involvement, with the incident prompting an extraordinary government meeting.
"We have determined that there is most likely external damage and that it is significant," Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina told reporters. She added that Latvia was co-ordinating with Nato and neighbouring Baltic Sea countries to probe the circumstances.
A Swedish navy spokesperson said it was too early to say what caused the damage or if it was intentional. "We don't know, it's too early in the investigation. We don't even know if this is an accident or a fault in the cable," the spokesperson said. Nato said its ships and aircrafts were working to investigate and “if necessary” take action.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said his country was cooperating closely with Nato and Latvia. "Sweden will contribute important capabilities to the ongoing effort to investigate the suspected incident," Kristersson said on X. The military alliance said last week it would deploy frigates, patrol aircraft and naval drones in the Baltic Sea to help protect critical infrastructure and reserved the right to take action against ships suspected of posing a security threat.
