On Sunday morning, an underwater fibre-optic cable belonging to Latvijas Valsts radio un televīzijas centrs (Latvian State Radio and Television Centre, LVRTC) sustained damage in the Baltic Sea, according to the Latvian news agency LETA.
The incident has prompted Prime Minister Evika Siliņa to convene a meeting of key government officials to address the situation.
Latvian military authorities have inspected a vessel near the site of the damage and are analysing maritime traffic in the area. Admiral Māris Polencs, commander of Latvia’s Naval Forces, shared details at a press conference, stating that the ship in question, Michalis San, was on its way to Russia and awaiting clearance from an agent. No suspicious activity or visible anchor damage was detected on the vessel.
Context and Ongoing Investigations
The mention of an anchor highlights recent incidents in the Baltic Sea where undersea cables have been damaged, reportedly due to vessels dragging their anchors over long distances, thereby harming critical infrastructure. Latvian authorities are now closely monitoring movements of other ships in the region and have shared findings with allied nations. Sweden’s Naval Forces are also collaborating in the investigation, as the damaged cable lies within Swedish waters.
Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa stated that the country had anticipated such crises and had established alternative data transmission routes to mitigate potential disruptions. She engaged with her counterparts in Sweden and other Baltic nations to coordinate support for the investigation, with Stockholm pledging full assistance as needed.
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LVRTC detected disruptions on the Ventspils–Gotland cable segment through its monitoring system. Although data services have been rerouted via alternative paths, minor delays may occur, although the impact on end users in Latvia is expected to remain minimal.
Initial assessments suggest significant external damage to the cable, which lies at a depth exceeding 50 metres. The exact nature of the damage will be confirmed during repair operations.
Broader Implications and Related Incidents
The incident adds to a growing list of disruptions in the Baltic region’s critical infrastructure. On Christmas Day, the Estlink 2 cable linking Estonia and Finland suffered a similar fate. Finnish Border Guard officials detained the vessel Eagle S, which is reportedly part of a “shadow fleet” transporting Russian oil.
Investigations revealed the tanker was in the vicinity when the cable was damaged, and British maritime publication Lloyd’s List suggested the ship may have carried equipment capable of espionage for Russia.
Earlier this month, Swedish public media reported anchor drag marks near the Nordbalt electricity cable connecting Sweden and Lithuania. The Chinese vessel Yi Peng 3 was identified as a likely suspect in this and other incidents involving internet cables between Sweden, Germany, and Lithuania.
In November, Finland experienced damage to a gas pipeline supplying the Baltic region, which was attributed to “external interference.” The Newnew Polar Bear, a Chinese vessel, was implicated in the case, with Chinese authorities later confirming the ship caused the damage during a storm.
Strategic Context
The timing of these incidents coincides with preparations by the Baltic states to disconnect from the Russian electricity grid (BRELL), a move scheduled for 8 February 2025. Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia have been reinforcing the security of energy and communication infrastructure in anticipation of this transition. Lithuania, for instance, assigned the protection of critical infrastructure to its Public Security Service as of 15 January.
The damage to the Latvian cable underlines the vulnerability of vital infrastructure in the region. While no definitive conclusions have been drawn about the causes, the Latvian government continues to work closely with NATO and regional allies to investigate and safeguard against future disruptions.
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