In late January 2025, a fiber-optic communications cable linking Sweden and Latvia was found damaged in the Baltic Sea. Swedish authorities detained the cargo ship "Vezhen," flagged under Malta, as part of the sabotage investigation. However, Sweden's public prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist announced that the damage was not caused by intentional sabotage but resulted from a combination of adverse weather conditions, inadequate equipment, and deficient seamanship. The ship's Bulgarian owners refuted wrongdoing, citing poor weather at the time. This case is one among several in recent months involving damage to power and communications cables in the Baltic region, including cables between Helsinki and Rostock. Baltic states suspect vessels might be intentionally cutting cables with their anchors. Allegations point towards Russian involvement through its 'shadow fleet.' In response, NATO has pledged to send additional ships and patrol aircraft to monitor and protect underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.

In late January 2025, a fiber-optic communications cable linking Sweden and Latvia was found damaged in the Baltic Sea. Swedish authorities detained the cargo ship "Vezhen," flagged under Malta, as part of the sabotage investigation. However, Sweden's public prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist announced that the damage was not caused by intentional sabotage but resulted from a combination of adverse weather conditions, inadequate equipment, and deficient seamanship. The ship's Bulgarian owners refuted wrongdoing, citing poor weather at the time. This case is one among several in recent months involving damage to power and communications cables in the Baltic region, including cables between Helsinki and Rostock. Baltic states suspect vessels might be intentionally cutting cables with their anchors. Allegations point towards Russian involvement through its 'shadow fleet.' In response, NATO has pledged to send additional ships and patrol aircraft to monitor and protect underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.