The Swedish authorities have seized a ship suspected of damaging a data cable that passes under the Baltic Sea to Latvia.
The vessel is vezhen, a ship that raises the Maltese flag, outside the Swedish Carlscaruna port.
Prosecutors said that preliminary investigations indicated a sabotage action. An investigation has been opened that includes the Swedish police, the army and the Coast Guard.
The photos published by the Swedish media showed that the ship’s anchor was apparently damaged.
However, the Navigation Maritime Bulgare, which was included in its fleet on Monday, said that one of the ship’s marina fell to the sea bottom because of the strong winds, and that there was no malicious intention.
On Sunday, the Latvia army reported that three ships were seen in the area where the damage occurred.
Less than a month ago, NATO launched a new task in the Baltic Sea in response to repeated attacks on energy and underwater cables – some of which were blamed in Russia.
Latvia Prime Minister Ivica Selena said her country is working closely with Sweden and NATO in response to the accident.
The cable ownership dates back to the Government Broadcasting Corporation in Latvia, LVRTC, which said in a statement that there are “interruptions in data transfer services”, but the final users will not be often affected.
Earlier this month, NATO launched his new mission in the Baltic Sea, after it was damaged or cut off several cables under the Baltic Sea in 2024.
NATO Secretary -General Mark Rawt said that the task would include more patrol aircraft, warships and drones.
While Russia has not been directly identified as the accused of cable damage, Roti said that NATO will intensify its monitoring of the “shadow fleet” of Moscow – ships that have no clear ownership and used to transport the banned oil products.
Roiti said that there is a “reason for great anxiety” over the damage to the infrastructure, adding that NATO will respond to any firm incidents strongly, with more climbing on the suspected ships, and confiscating them if necessary.
The Finnish police said late last year that it was achieving whether a Russian ship involved in sabotaging an electric cable that extends between Finland and Estonia.
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