Nato allies seize ship over ‘sabotage to vital infrastructure’ – with eyes on Russia

prosecutors have launched a preliminary investigation into suspected aggravated sabotage after an underwater fibre optic cable connecting and the island of Gotland was significantly damaged on Sunday.

The investigation has intensified fears of sabotage in the Baltic, following a series of incidents in the region targeting critical infrastructure.

Authorities have detained the Malta-flagged vessel Vezhen, which was near the cable at the time of the suspected damage. Mats Ljungqvist, senior prosecutor at Sweden’s National Security Unit, confirmed that the case is being handled with input from multiple agencies, including the National Police Operations Department, the Coast Guard, and the Armed Forces.

Mattias Lindholm, spokesperson for the Swedish Coast Guard, stated: “We are directly on site with the seized ship and are taking measures as decided by the prosecutor.”

According to vessel tracking data from Vesselfinder, the Vezhen had departed from the Russian port of Ust-Luga several days prior and was navigating between Gotland and Latvia when the damage is believed to have occurred.

Latvia’s state-run Radio and TV Center (LVRTC) detected disruptions on the cable connecting Ventspils to Gotland and confirmed a rupture. Vineta Sprugaine, head of corporate communications at LVRTC, said: “At the moment, there is reason to believe that the cable is significantly damaged and that the damage is caused by external influences.”

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa has called for a thorough investigation, emphasising cooperation with Swedish authorities and NATO allies. Writing on X, she said: “We are working together with our Swedish allies and NATO on investigating the incident, patrolling the area, and inspecting vessels in the vicinity.” Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson echoed these concerns, adding that he has been in close contact with Siliņa.

Sunday’s rupture is the latest in a series of incidents that have raised alarms over potential Russian sabotage targeting vital infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. NATO has expressed growing concern about the vulnerability of undersea cables and pipelines in the region, which play a critical role in communication, energy supply, and national security.

Earlier this month, NATO launched a new mission, “Baltic Sentry,” to enhance surveillance and deterrence in the Baltic Sea. The operation includes frigates, maritime patrol aircraft, and naval drones, with a focus on protecting undersea assets.

This latest incident also follows reports of disruptions to other undersea data cables in the region, allegedly linked to ’s so-called “shadow fleet.” This fleet consists of hundreds of aging tankers with opaque ownership, often accused of evading sanctions while sustaining Russian oil revenues. Such vessels have come under scrutiny for potentially engaging in sabotage under the guise of commercial operations.

The Baltic has become a hotspot for geopolitical tensions, with undersea infrastructure increasingly in the crosshairs. The sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines in September 2022 served as a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerabilities.

The explosions, which caused significant damage to the pipelines linking to Europe, remain a point of contention, with Western officials widely suspecting Russian involvement. While no definitive conclusions have been drawn, the attack marked a turning point in the security landscape of the Baltic, highlighting how critical infrastructure could be weaponised in the shadowy arena of hybrid warfare.

The recent damage to the Latvia-Gotland cable further underscores these vulnerabilities.

Unlike pipelines, undersea cables are harder to monitor due to their extensive length, relatively shallow depth in parts of the Baltic, and reliance on civilian rather than military oversight.

Experts warn that could exploit these weak points in its broader strategy of hybrid warfare, using sabotage and espionage to sow uncertainty and exert pressure on NATO allies.

‘s activity in the Baltic has been under scrutiny for years, particularly regarding its fleet movements and submarine operations.

Earlier this year, Danish and Swedish investigators flagged suspicious movements of Russian-flagged vessels near the site of the Nord Stream explosions, fueling speculation about Moscow’s involvement.

Similarly, recent satellite imagery and vessel tracking data have shown irregular behavior by -linked ships in proximity to undersea infrastructure, including long stops in unusual locations and abrupt changes in course.

The involvement of the Vezhen – a vessel linked to Russian ports – has further stoked suspicions. While no official connection has been made between the ship and Russian state actors, its presence near the ruptured cable raises significant questions.

The fact that the cable was damaged in international waters, yet in a strategically sensitive area for NATO, adds a layer of complexity to the investigation.

Carl Bergstrom, a security expert with Sweden’s Defense University, said: “The Baltic Sea is a high-stakes environment.

“The proximity of critical infrastructure to Russian territory, combined with the region’s strategic importance for NATO, makes it a prime target for covert operations. Sabotaging undersea cables can disrupt communication, harm economies, and undermine confidence in security guarantees.”

In addition to Baltic Sentry, individual member states are stepping up their own defenses. Finland and Estonia have invested in advanced undersea surveillance technology, while Sweden has increased its naval patrols. Latvia and Lithuania have also called for closer cooperation among Baltic nations to monitor and protect critical assets.

The damage to the Latvia-Gotland cable highlights the ongoing challenges of securing critical infrastructure in an era of heightened geopolitical tensions. While the cable itself may not carry the same symbolic weight as the Nord Stream pipelines, its disruption has real-world consequences, both economically and politically.

For Latvia, the cable serves as a crucial link to Sweden and the wider European network. Disruptions to such links not only affect communication and data flows but also expose vulnerabilities that adversaries can exploit. Sweden, as a NATO aspirant and regional leader, faces pressure to demonstrate its ability to secure its own infrastructure while contributing to collective security in the Baltic.

For , these incidents serve as a reminder of its ability to project power beyond traditional military means.