Latvia's prime minister says her government has reached out to Sweden and other Baltic Sea allies in NATO for assistance as it investigates the cause of damage to an underwater fiber-optic data cable running to Sweden.

Russian law enforcement officers appealed to the authorities of Latvia, where actor Arthur Smolyaninov allegedly lives ***, with a request to assist in the investigation of the criminal case initiated against him.

Undersea cable between Sweden and Latvia damaged, as attention focuses on Malta-flagged vessel that sailed from Russia.

Sunday's rupture follows a string of incidents that have heightened fears of Russian sabotage and spying in the strategic region. #EuropeNews

Disruption of the line between Sweden and Latvia follows earlier incidents linked to suspected sabotage by Russia and China.

Latvian navy coordinating with Nato over incident which comes after military alliance boosted its presence in Baltic Sea in December

Sweden was spurred to join NATO in response to the security threat posed by Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. It has sent its troops to Latvia, which borders Russia and its ally Belarus. As a former Soviet republic, Latvia has highlighted the threat posed by Moscow after the war in Ukraine.

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Latvia investigating ‘significant’ damage to undersea fibre optic cable with Sweden - Nato said it was investigating ‘external’ damage to undersea fibre optic cable and would take action ‘if necessary

Swedish authorities have seized a ship suspected of damaging a data cable running under the Baltic Sea to Latvia. Prosecutors said an initial investigation pointed to sabotage, and an inquiry has been launched involving Sweden's police, military, and coast guard.

STOCKHOLM, January 27. /TASS/. Sweden has launched an investigation into alleged sabotage after a communication cable between Sweden and Latvia was damaged in the Baltic Sea and detained a ship suspected of the alleged crime, the Prosecution Authority said.