As the Baltics and Western countries strengthen their energy independence from Russia, attempts to attack and sabotage energy and telecommunications infrastructure are likely to continue. Recognizing this, both cable owners and national security forces are paying more attention to the protection of underwater infrastructure, Latvian Television reported on December 27.
On December 25, the EstLink 2 power cable connecting Estonia and Finland was damaged. A Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tanker is suspected of damaging the cable.
Latvia does not have electricity connection cables in the Baltic Sea, but it does have an optical internet cable from Ventspils to Sweden, operated by the Latvian State Radio and Television Center (LVRTC). Both LVRTC and the armed forces have now paid increased attention to its security.
“LVRTC experts are monitoring the operation of the underwater cable 24/7, using technologies that allow changes to be recorded in real-time to identify potential risks in good time,” explained Ģirts Ozols, Chairman of the LVRTC Board.
“There are also backup paths to reroute traffic to prevent unavailability of services to our customers.”
The Latvian Naval Forces have stepped up monitoring of Latvia’s communications infrastructure and is exchanging up-to-date information with allies on the security situation in the Baltic Sea.
Admiral Maris Polencs, Commander of the Naval Forces, pointed out that a Navy ship is currently at sea in constant cooperation with the Coast Guard and Baltic Sea counterparts.
The most likely method of sabotage is to drag an anchor along the bottom. If a suspicious vessel appears in the vicinity of the cable, the Navy lets it know that the situation is being monitored.
“We make enquiries about intentions, send our duty ship to respond accordingly. So far, everything has worked out for us,” Polencs said.
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