After recent incidents in Baltic Sea, armed forces to be involved in enhanced protection of sea communication cable in Latvian waters

RIGA - After recent incidents in the Baltic Sea, it is planned to involve the military in the enhanced protection of Latvian sea communication cable.

This was supported by the government in a closed meeting today.

The Ministry of Defense (MoD) previously prepared a draft government order "On the involvement of the National Armed Forces (NBS) in the enhanced protection of the Latvian State Radio and Television Center (LVRTC) marine communication cable in Latvian territorial waters".

The MoD has not added more information to this document. The ministry explained to LETA that in recent months there have been several incidents in the Baltic Sea in connection with the infrastructure located in the depths of the sea, and Latvia also has such infrastructure in the sea, therefore it is planned to attract the resources at the disposal of the NBS to strengthen the safety of the underwater critical infrastructure.

Neither the LVRTC nor the Ministry of Transport could provide any comments on this issue to LETA.

As reported, the Nord Stream gas pipeline was blown up in the Baltic Sea in autumn. Following this sabotage, NATO has increased its naval presence in the Baltic Sea and North Sea to protect its infrastructure.

Several Western experts blamed Russia for the gas pipeline bombing, which, of course, Russia has denied.