**Fiber-Optic Cable Damaged in Baltic Sea**
A crucial underwater cable between Latvia and Sweden was damaged on January 26. The Latvian State Radio and Television Broadcasting Center (LVRTC) representative, Vineta Sprugaine, said the damage was caused by an external impact.
The cable connected Ventspils in Latvia to Gotland island in Sweden. Despite the damage, data transmission services continued using alternative routes. Most users in Latvia were not affected, but some experienced slower speeds.
**NATO Reacts**
NATO has sent extra patrol ships to the area to ensure the safety of critical infrastructure. LVRTC has informed authorities and inspections are ongoing.
Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa met with ministers and service heads to discuss the incident. She emphasized cooperation with NATO and other Baltic Sea region countries to investigate the circumstances.
**Second Recent Incident**
This is the second recent case of damaged critical cables in the Baltic Sea. In December, four telecommunication cables and one power cable were sabotaged, with Finnish authorities suspecting Russian involvement.
However, intelligence services believe the damage might be caused by maritime accidents rather than deliberate sabotage. Investigations are ongoing, but growing concerns about Russian sabotage remain due to heightened tensions in the region since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
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