An underwater fiber-optic cable belonging to the Latvian State Radio and Television Broadcasting Center (LVRTC) was significantly damaged on Jan. 26, reportedly due to external impact, according to LVRTC representative Vineta Sprugaine.

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.

Russia has condemned the Western alliance for ramping up its naval presence in the so-called 'NATO lake' after alleged sabotage by Moscow-linked vessels.

The mission, dubbed Baltic Sentry, follows worry over increased Russian military activity near key undersea communication cables.

The operation follows a string of incidents that have heightened fears of Russian sabotage and spying in the strategic region.

A senior Russian official has said that Moscow will counter any moves by Western military alliance NATO to dominate the Baltic Sea. Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told the Russian television channel Rossiya-24 on Friday that the Western alliance's decision to increase patrols around the Baltic was further proof of NATO's "desire to turn the Baltic Sea into a NATO lake.

NATO countries will deploy frigates, patrol aircraft and naval drones in the Baltic Sea to help protect critical infrastructure and reserve the right to take action against ships suspected of posing a security threat,

NATO on Tuesday launched operation Baltic Sentry to deter further attempts to damage critical underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. Secretary General Mark Rutte announced the operation on Tuesday in a joint press conference with Finland President Alexander Stubb and Estonia Prime Minister Kristen Michal at the Baltic Sea NATO Allies Summit held in Helsinki,

An undersea fibre optic cable between Latvia and Sweden was damaged on Sunday morning, likely as a result of "external influence", Latvian public broadcaster LSM reported, citing the cable operator. The Latvian Navy sent a patrol to inspect a vessel that possibly caused the damage and was coordinating with NATO,

Another undersea data cable, this time connecting Sweden and Latvia, has been severed in the Baltic Sea, officials from both countries said Sunday, and prompted Latvia to dispatch a warship near to where the incident had occurred.

Amid a flurry of suspicious incidents, in which undersea cables have been severed in the Baltic Sea, governments and experts are pointing fingers at Russia.