Another cable has been damaged in the Baltic Sea between Latvia and Sweden.

On the morning of January 26, an undersea fiber optic cable belonging to the "Latvian State Radio and Television Centre" (LVRTC) was damaged in the Baltic Sea between Latvia and Sweden. This was likely due to external influences.

LSM reports on this incident.

LVRTC explained that the data transmission monitoring system detected disruptions in data transfer on the Ventspils – Gotland segment. However, the "Latvian State Radio and Television Centre" continues to provide services using alternative data transmission routes.

"Currently, there may be delays in data transfer speeds, but for the most part, this does not affect end users in Latvia," the center clarified.

In collaboration with other technological partners, LVRTC conducted system operation tests and network measurements using equipment in Ventspils. The head of the corporate communications department, Vineta Sprugein, stated that the cable was likely damaged due to external factors.

"There are currently grounds to believe that the cable is significantly damaged and that the damage was caused by external influences," she stated.

According to the information currently available from LVRTC, electronic communication traders who were still using the undersea fiber optic cable for service provision are now utilizing other data transmission routes.

LVRTC continues negotiations with a company that can technically facilitate the repair of the undersea cable. The center indicates that this is a foreign company with extensive experience in executing such technologically complex tasks.

It has also been reported that the Naval Forces of the National Armed Forces have contacted NATO allies, including Sweden, regarding the incident, and there is currently ongoing information exchange.

"The Navy promptly dispatched a patrol vessel to investigate the potentially affected ship," LSM writes.

Additionally, the Maritime Operations Centre conducted an analysis of ship movements in the area of the cable break. Two more vessels were identified in the approximate area of the undersea infrastructure damage, which were outside Latvia's territorial waters and exclusive economic zone. The investigation into the circumstances of the event is ongoing.

The Prime Minister of Latvia, Evika Siliņa, stated that due to the accident, she convened the responsible ministers and service leaders.

"We continue to collaborate with NATO and the countries of the Baltic Sea region to clarify the circumstances and investigate the incident," she wrote on social media platform X.

Background. Previously, Mind reported that the Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri Orpo, announced damage to the undersea electricity cable connecting Finland and Estonia. The break occurred on December 25 and, as noted by Orpo, did not affect Finland's electricity supply.