Sweden Seizes Vessel Over Baltic Sea Cable Sabotage Suspicion

story

JAN 27

Above: On Jan. 27, 2025, the cargo vessel Vezhen was inspected by Swedish authorities while it was anchored near Karlskrona, Sweden. The ship was seized on suspicion of having damaged a fiber optic cable in the Baltic Sea that connects Sweden and Latvia. Image copyright: Johan Nilsson/Contributor/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images

story last updated JAN 31

The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

The frequency and pattern of undersea cable damages in the Baltic Sea cannot be dismissed as mere accidents. The involvement of vessels from Russia's shadow fleet and the strategic timing of these incidents point to a coordinated campaign of hybrid warfare targeting critical NATO infrastructure.

The Washington Post Newsweek

Establishment-critical narrative

The incident appears to be a straightforward maritime accident caused by severe weather conditions, with no evidence of intentional sabotage. The shipping company's immediate cooperation with authorities and transparent explanation of the anchor damage demonstrates there was no malicious intent.

Local France 24