The Baltic Sea has once again become the focal point of a suspected act of sabotage, with a crucial communication cable linking Sweden and Latvia sustaining damage. This incident marks the latest in a series of disruptions targeting underwater infrastructure in the region, raising concerns about vulnerabilities in critical networks and the potential motivations behind these actions. The Swedish Security Service (Säpo), under the direction of Prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist of the National Security Unit, has launched a preliminary investigation into the incident, classified as suspected gross sabotage. Multiple other government agencies are also involved in the ongoing investigation. The prime suspect is the Malta-flagged vessel, Vezhen, which has been seized and is currently anchored in Swedish waters.
The investigation has quickly taken an international dimension with the involvement of a Bulgarian shipping company, Navigation Maritime Bulgare, which manages the Vezhen. The company, owned by brothers Kiril and Georgi Petrov Domuschiev, prominent figures in Bulgarian business, has publicly denied any intentional damage to the cable, claiming instead that the incident stemmed from an emergency situation. Their cooperation with authorities notwithstanding, the ownership structure of the Vezhen has become a key point of interest. While Navigation Maritime Bulgare manages the ship’s operations, the international maritime database Equasis, a joint project of the European Commission and the French Maritime Administration, lists a Chinese state-controlled company as the registered owner since summer 2022. This discovery, corroborated by an independent investigation by the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter (DN), suggests a more complex ownership landscape than initially presented and raises questions about the true beneficiary of the Vezhen’s activities. DN’s investigation, aided by the Russian independent media outlet IStories, further uncovered recent crew changes on the Vezhen, with six new members joining the ship within the past month, three in Canada and another three in Denmark, adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding investigation.
The incident involving the Vezhen echoes previous disruptions to underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, most notably the damage to the Estlink 2 power cable in the Gulf of Finland. Suspicion in that case fell upon the vessel Eagle S, a much older ship believed to be part of the so-called ”shadow fleet” – vessels operating outside of standard regulations and often linked to illicit activities. In contrast, the Vezhen is a relatively new ship, built in 2022, suggesting a potential shift in the tactics or actors involved in these incidents. The difference in the vessels underlines the complexity of the situation and the potential range of actors who might have an interest in disrupting critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea region. This difference also highlights the evolving nature of the threats facing underwater infrastructure, moving beyond readily identifiable ”shadow fleet” vessels to newer, potentially more sophisticated operations.
While the investigation continues, Professor Hans Liwång, an expert in defense systems at the Swedish Defence University and marine systems researcher at the Royal Institute of Technology, cautions against drawing premature conclusions based solely on the Vezhen’s ownership or flag state. He emphasizes the common practice of international ship sales and the involvement of multiple countries in shipping operations, making it difficult to definitively link ownership to any alleged sabotage activities. The investigation, still in its early stages, must consider a multitude of factors before assigning responsibility. The Säpo, confirming the Vezhen as the prime suspect, remains tight-lipped about the specifics of the case, citing the need to maintain the integrity of the investigation. Information remains limited due to pre-trial secrecy.
The recurring incidents of suspected sabotage targeting underwater cables in the Baltic Sea raise significant concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and the potential geopolitical implications. The region’s complex political landscape and strategic importance make it a potential flashpoint for various actors, both state and non-state, who might seek to disrupt or exploit these vulnerabilities. These incidents highlight the escalating need for enhanced security measures to protect underwater infrastructure and ensure the resilience of vital communication and energy networks. The ongoing investigation into the Vezhen incident, with its intricate web of international ownership and recent crew changes, underscores the challenges of attributing responsibility and identifying the ultimate motives behind these acts. The investigation faces the complex task of untangling the ship’s ownership structure, the reasons behind the recent crew changes, and any potential links to state-sponsored actors or other groups with an interest in disrupting the region’s stability.
As the investigation progresses, the focus will likely remain on the Vezhen’s movements leading up to the incident, any communication records, and further analysis of the damaged cable. International cooperation will be essential to gather evidence and build a comprehensive understanding of the event. The outcome of this investigation carries significant implications not only for Sweden and Latvia but also for the broader security landscape of the Baltic Sea and beyond, potentially shaping future strategies for protecting critical underwater infrastructure from both accidental damage and deliberate acts of sabotage. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the interconnected nature of global infrastructure and the potential for disruption in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment, highlighting the need for constant vigilance and international cooperation to safeguard critical systems.
