Latvia's military reported sightings of two vessels in the vicinity of the damage earlier on Sunday. The incident follows heightened concerns about underwater infrastructure security in the region.
The affected cable, owned by Latvia’s state broadcaster LVRTC, experienced disruptions in data transmission. LVRTC confirmed that service to end users remained largely unaffected.
This development comes shortly after NATO launched its "Baltic Sentry" mission, aimed at enhancing surveillance and protecting underwater power and communication cables in the Baltic Sea. The mission involves increased deployment of patrol aircraft, warships, and drones.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized the alliance’s commitment to addressing such threats, including closer monitoring of Moscow’s so-called "shadow fleet," vessels suspected of carrying embargoed oil products under unclear ownership. While no direct blame has been placed on Russia for this incident, Rutte highlighted concerns over infrastructure attacks and pledged robust responses to future incidents.
Last year, Finnish authorities began investigating potential Russian involvement in the sabotage of an electricity cable between Finland and Estonia. The Baltic Sea remains a focal point for efforts to safeguard critical infrastructure amid growing geopolitical tensions.
