Earlier this month, NATO launched a new mission, “Baltic Sentry,” to enhance surveillance and deterrence in the Baltic Sea. The operation includes frigates, maritime patrol aircraft, and naval drones, with a focus on protecting undersea assets.

Swedish authorities have seized a ship suspected of damaging a data cable running under the Baltic Sea to Latvia. The Vezhen - a Maltese-flagged ship - is now anchored outside the Swedish port of Karlskrona.

The Nordic country has opened an investigation into the damage, just weeks after NATO stepped up its military presence in the area following a series of similar incidents.