Swedish Prosecutors Launch Investigation into New Submarine Cable Damage in the Baltic Sea
February 21, 2023
Stockholm, Sweden – Swedish prosecutors have launched a preliminary investigation into the discovery of a damaged submarine cable in the Baltic Sea, east of the island of Gotland. This latest incident adds to a series of similar cases involving damage to underwater infrastructure in the region, raising concerns about potential sabotage.
"We have a vessel, the KBV 003, on its way to Gotland’s east side," said Karin Cars, a spokesperson for the Swedish Coast Guard. "It is currently located within the Swedish economic zone and is assisting in the crime scene investigation."
The Coast Guard was dispatched to the site on Thursday evening, but did not provide specific details on the location or timing of the damage.
The news comes on the heels of several other reported incidents involving damage to energy and communication infrastructure in the Baltic Sea in recent months. These incidents have occurred against the backdrop of Finland and Sweden’s accession to NATO, which has heightened tensions with Russia.
Experts and policymakers have increasingly pointed to the possibility of a "hybrid war" being waged by Russia against Western countries, which the Kremlin has denied.
In January, NATO announced the launch of a patrol mission aimed at protecting critical underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. Named "Baltic Sentinel," the operation involves a surge in the deployment of aircraft, ships, and drones to monitor and respond to potential threats.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated in a social media post that the government was closely monitoring the situation. "We are taking all information about possible damage to infrastructure in the Baltic Sea very seriously," he wrote. "As I have said before, these must be considered in the current serious security context."
The repeated nature of these incidents has raised suspicions of deliberate sabotage, although no specific perpetrators have been identified. The investigation by Swedish authorities is expected to shed light on the cause and nature of the damage.
The Baltic Sea is a vital waterway for both commercial and military purposes, and the damage to submarine cables could have significant implications for communication and energy security in the region.
The Swedish investigation is expected to continue as authorities gather evidence and seek to determine the cause and potential consequences of the incident. The results of the investigation could have far-reaching implications for understanding the ongoing tensions in the Baltic Sea and the role of submarine infrastructure in regional security.
