A timeline of suspected underwater sabotage incidents in the Baltic Sea

The Baltic Sea region remains tense following multiple disruptions to power cables, telecom links, and gas pipelines since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

NATO has bolstered its presence with frigates, aircraft, and naval drones, while investigations into these incidents continue, though no suspects have been prosecuted.

January 2025: Sweden-Latvia telecom cable

A fiber optic cable connecting Latvia's west coast to Sweden's Gotland malfunctioned on Jan. 26. Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina and operator LVRTC cited "external impact."

The damage, located in Sweden’s economic zone, triggered NATO and local maritime investigations. Sweden seized the Maltese-flagged vessel Vezhen, suspecting gross sabotage.

EU Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy Henna Virkkunen, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, pose for a family photo at the beginning of a summit of the Baltic Sea NATO countries at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland, on January 14, 2025. Reuters

The Bulgarian company operating the ship admitted an anchor might have struck the cable but denied sabotage.

December 2024: Finland-Estonia Links

Finland's Estlink 2 power cable and four telecom lines were damaged on Dec. 25. Authorities seized the tanker Eagle S, suspected of dragging its anchor.

The anchor has been recovered from the Gulf of Finland in connection with the criminal investigation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation. The anchor is suspected to be related to the cable rupture that took place on Christmas Day, December 25, 2024.Reuters

Finnish investigators linked the Cook Islands-registered ship to tracks found on the seabed and a recovered anchor. The tanker’s UAE-based owner, Caravella LLC FZ, denied wrongdoing but failed to secure its release in court.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb attends his press conference for Finnish media after the summit of the Baltic Sea NATO countries at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland January 14, 2025.Reuters

November 2024: Telecom cable cuts

Two undersea cables were severed Nov. 17-18, raising sabotage concerns. Investigators linked Chinese vessel Yi Peng 3 to the incidents via MarineTraffic data.

A navy diver of the Latvian Armed Forces takes part in NATO exercise Freezing Winds 24, led by the Finnish Navy, in the Gulf of Finland, the Baltic Sea, Finland, November 23, 2024.Reuters

A diplomatic standoff ensued until China allowed joint inspections in December, but Swedish requests for independent probes were ignored.

October 2023: Gas pipeline and cable damage

The Balticconnector pipeline and telecom cables linking Finland, Estonia, and Sweden were damaged Oct. 7-8.

Investigators suspect the Chinese vessel NewNew Polar Bear dragged its anchor, causing the disruptions. China pledged support but reportedly offered little assistance, leaving the cause unresolved.

September 2022: Nord Stream blast

The Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines were severely damaged by underwater explosions near Denmark's Bornholm island on Sept. 26, 2022.

Sweden confirmed sabotage with traces of explosives but closed its probe in 2024 without naming suspects. Moscow denied Western accusations of self-sabotage and blamed the U.S., Britain, and Ukraine, which have all refuted involvement.

No one has taken responsibility

Some Western officials have suggested Moscow blew up its pipelines, an interpretation dismissed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

FILE: Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a documents signing ceremony with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Moscow, Russia January 17, 2025. Reuters

Russia has blamed the United States, Britain, and Ukraine for the blasts, which largely cut Russian gas off from the European market. Those countries denied involvement.

In August 2024, Germany asked Poland to arrest a Ukrainian diving instructor accused of being part of a team that blew up the Nord Stream pipelines. Poland said the man left the country before he could be detained.