Early on January 26th, the submarine optical fiber cable in the Baltic Sea belonging to SJSC Latvia State Radio and Television Center (hereinafter – LVRTC) was damaged. LVRTC’s Data Transmission Monitoring System detected disruptions in data transmission services on the Ventspils–Gotland (Fårösund) segment. LVRTC continues to provide services via alternative data transmission routes. Currently, there may be delays in data transmission speeds, but for the most part, this does not impact end users in Latvia.
In cooperation with technological partners, LVRTC immediately conducted system checks and network measurements from equipment in Ventspils. Based on current findings, it is presumed that the cable is significantly damaged due to external factors. LVRTC has initiated criminal procedural actions.
Given that the cable lies at a depth exceeding 50 meters, the exact nature of the damage can only be determined once cable repair work begins.
LVRTC has informed the responsible authorities about the incident.
According to the information currently available to LVRTC, electronic communication providers who previously used the submarine optical fiber cable have switched to alternative data transmission routes to maintain services.
LVRTC is in discussions with a foreign company that has extensive experience in handling such technologically complex tasks and can technically carry out the submarine cable repair. Repairs will begin as soon as an agreement is reached regarding the deployment of the repair vessel.
On Sunday, January 26th, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa convened a meeting with the responsible ministries and authorities regarding the disruptions to the optical fiber communication network on the Ventspils–Gotland segment managed by LVRTC.
Regarding cable damage prevention
LVRTC continues to negotiate with the company that will repair the network failure. Deep-water works are complicated, they are significantly different from the repair of optical cables on land. Deepwater operations are affected by a number of factors, including weather conditions, supply chains and job logistics.
The cable damage location is 130km from the LVRTC facilities in Ventspils. Given the depth of the cable, the exact extent of the damage will only be determined by raising the cable above water or diving near it.
Updated 27.01.2025.
On January 27, the depth of the cable damage location in the sea was specified. The cable damage location is located at a depth of approximately 100m.
At the moment, LVRTC cannot yet say the exact time when the repair vessel will go to sea, however, we emphasize that we are working to repair the damage as soon as possible.
We keep our clients informed about the current situation and assure that the priority of our activity is cable repair work, restoration of services, as well as cooperation with the competent authorities to ensure an effective investigation of the incident.
Update 28.01. 7:03 EET
In connection with the damage to the LVRTC underwater optical fiber cable, the LVRTC data transmission engineering team went to Sweden late on Monday evening to verify the suitability of the materials used in the repair and to make preparations so that the cable can be restored as soon as possible. At the same time, the LVRTC continues negotiations with the company that will carry out the repair works and the exact start of repair works is currently still uncertain.
Update 28.01.2025. 16:40 EET
The LVRTC engineers, who have been in Sweden since January 27, have already inspected and evaluated the raw materials necessary for the repair, recognising them as suitable for the repair of the LVRTC underwater optical fibre cable. The transportation of materials to the port will begin on the night of January 28, where they will be loaded onto a ship that will carry out the repair work. At the moment, the date for the start of repair works is still uncertain, but LVRTC are doing everything to proceed with the repairs as soon as possible.
On investigation and legal actions
Updated 28.01.2025. 16:30 EET
In connection with the damaged LVRTC underwater optical fiber cable in the Baltic Sea, the State Police, in cooperation with the Prosecution office and under its direct supervision, is investigating a criminal proceeding under the second part of Section 185 of the Criminal Law regarding the intentional destruction and damage of property, if this has caused serious consequences, under the second part of Section 187 of the Criminal Law for intentional destruction and damage of the public electronic communication network, if this has caused serious consequences. Likewise, the criminal process is additionally qualified according to Section 89 of the Criminal Law on sabotage.
The State Police provides international criminal legal cooperation with the European Union and other countries in order to obtain both binding information on the fact under investigation and to ensure procedural actions, including those related to ship inspections.
Currently, the investigation is underway to understand the exact nature of the damage, material losses and other circumstances of the possible crime.
Information prepared by the Corporate Communications Department of the Latvian State Radio and Television Center.
The National Armed Forces monitor the situation involving an submarine optical fiber cable in the Baltic Sea
Today, on January 26, the Naval Forces of the National Armed Forces received information from the Latvian State Radio and Television Centre regarding damage to the Ventspils-Gotland optical cable identified in Sweden’s exclusive economic zone. The Naval Forces immediately dispatched a patrol vessel to inspect a potentially involved ship.
The Naval Forces have communicated with NATO allies, including Sweden, and maintain ongoing information exchange. The Naval Operations Center has analyzed vessel movements in the area of the cable damage. Two additional vessels were identified in the approximate underwater infrastructure damage area, located outside Latvia’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone. The circumstances of the incident are still under investigation.
The National Armed Forces continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the rupture of the Ventspils–Gotland optical cable in Sweden’s Exclusive Economic Zone. The Navy divers of the National Armed Forces have been deployed to the site of the cable damage in Sweden’s Exclusive Economic Zone to conduct inspections and gather evidence. The operation will be supported by Swedish Coast Guard vessels.
The Swedish Coast Guard has detained the vessel “Vezhen,” and the Swedish police have joined the investigation today. The detained vessel is currently in the Swedish port city of Karlskrona.