Norwegian police seized the Norwegian-owned cargo ship Silver Dania on January 30, 2025, at the request of Latvia. The vessel is suspected of being involved in damage to a fiber optic cable in the Baltic Sea, raising concerns among nations in the region about potential sabotage, possibly linked to Russia.
- Norwegian police seized cargo ship Silver Dania.
- Ship suspected of damaging Baltic Sea cable.
- Crew members are all Russian nationals.
- Shipping company denies any wrongdoing.
- Sweden launched investigation into cable sabotage.
- The Moscow Times faces repression in Russia.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions in the Baltic region, where nations have heightened security measures in response to recent sabotage incidents involving undersea infrastructure. The Silver Dania was intercepted while traveling from St. Petersburg to Murmansk, and authorities are investigating its connection to the damaged fiber optic cable located between Latvia and Sweden.
Norwegian police reported that the crew, comprised entirely of Russian nationals, is cooperating with the investigation. The vessel’s owner, Silver Sea, stated that it did not engage in any wrongdoing, emphasizing that the ship did not anchor near Gotland, the Swedish island close to the damage site. The company expressed confidence that the investigation would clear them of any involvement.
On January 26, Latvia and Sweden confirmed that a fiber optic cable owned by Latvia’s state radio and television center was damaged. On the same day, Swedish authorities seized another vessel, the Malta-flagged Vezhen, and initiated an investigation into aggravated sabotage. These incidents have raised alarms about the security of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.
This seizure underscores the growing concerns about maritime security in the Baltic region. As investigations continue, the involvement of foreign entities in potential sabotage remains a critical issue for regional stability.
