Sixth Baltic Sea subsea cable damaged as authorities investigate possible sabotage

Details: Manny Pham; Category: Optical & Fixed Networks; 07 January 2026; 6758 views

A sixth subsea cable has been damaged in the Baltic Sea, keeping regional authorities on high alert amid growing scrutiny of Russian-linked maritime activity, the Financial Times reported.

Latvian officials said the cable was damaged near a landing station in Liepaja, after a vessel passed several kilometres offshore. The extent of the damage has not been disclosed, and authorities have not confirmed whether the incident was deliberate. Police investigations are ongoing.

Investigators said the vessel involved, the Fitburg, had sailed over an inactive cable before altering course and crossing Arelion’s BCS East cable, which was subsequently damaged. The ship had departed from St Petersburg and was en route to Haifa, Israel, according to tracking data.

Elsewhere in the region, Estonia reported faults on two subsea cables linking the country to Sweden, as well as another cable connecting the mainland to the island of Hiiumaa.

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa said authorities were working with crisis management officials and law enforcement to determine the cause of the damage. Crisis management centre head Arvis Zile said no conclusions had yet been reached, adding that all possible scenarios remain under consideration as technical analysis continues.