STOCKHOLM – Swedish authorities, in coordination with Latvia and NATO, have launched an investigation into the Bulgarian cargo ship Vezhen, currently detained in the Baltic Sea, following damage to an underwater communication cable linking Latvia and Gotland.
The Swedish prosecutor’s office confirmed that the probe is focused on suspected sabotage, though the ship’s operator has denied any wrongdoing.
The Bulgarian Embassy in Stockholm acknowledged that it is in active discussions with Swedish officials regarding the case.
Meanwhile, the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has assured that it is closely monitoring the developments and will provide updates as new information emerges.
Investigation Underway
Swedish authorities boarded the Vezhen, which sails under the Maltese flag, near Karlskrona. The vessel had previously departed from the Russian port of Ust-Luga and was traveling from Sweden to Denmark when the incident occurred.
Latvian authorities confirmed that the damage to the cable was caused by external forces and have launched criminal proceedings.
The Swedish coast guard, armed forces, and national police operations department are collaborating on the probe, with NATO also involved.
The Latvian government reported disruptions to data transmission services due to the cable damage but assured that end users were not affected.
Latvia’s Prime Minister, Evika Siliņa, revealed that military ships had been dispatched to inspect the area, while Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed Sweden’s commitment to supporting the investigation.
Navibulgar Dismisses Sabotage Allegations
Captain Alexander Kalchev, executive director of the Bulgarian company Navibulgar, which operates Vezhen, strongly refuted claims that the crew deliberately damaged the cable.
Speaking to media in Varna, Kalchev explained that extreme weather conditions on January 25—marked by winds exceeding 25 meters per second—caused the ship’s anchor to drag along the seabed.
“The ship’s automatic identification system indicates its route overlapped with the damaged cable, but the exact timing of the rupture remains uncertain,” Kalchev stated.
He emphasized that the vessel’s crew, composed of eight Bulgarian officers and nine Myanmar sailors, had no motive or means to engage in sabotage.
Kalchev urged investigators to conduct further technical assessments to determine the precise cause of the damage, expressing confidence in the professionalism of Vezhen’s crew.
Regional Security Concerns
The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Baltic region, where previous attacks on undersea infrastructure have raised security concerns.
NATO has increased its naval presence in response to suspected Russian activities targeting critical energy and communication networks.
Latvian authorities disclosed that at least two additional vessels were in the vicinity when the cable was damaged and are being examined for potential involvement.
The findings of the probe could have broader geopolitical implications, particularly as Western nations remain on high alert over infrastructure security in the Baltic Sea.
As the investigation continues, Bulgarian authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to assisting in clarifying the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Meanwhile, Vezhen remains detained as Swedish and Latvian experts work to uncover whether the damage was the result of a maritime accident—or something more deliberate.