Island in ‘NATO Lake’ Hit by Sabotage Attack

Swedish police officers are probing a suspected sabotage incident on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea—which is playfully now dubbed by some Western officials as the “NATO lake.”

Newsweek has contacted Sweden’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs for comment by email.

Why It Matters

This incident is the latest in a series of suspected sabotage attacks on undersea cables in the Baltic Sea, where NATO holds a dominant presence.

It follows the recent launch of “Baltic Sentry,” a NATO mission designed to protect key infrastructure, such as undersea cables, amid rising security concerns in the region.

With Finland and Sweden joining NATO in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the Baltic Sea is now bordered by members of the military alliance, prompting some to describe it as a “NATO lake.”

What To Know

Swedish police told the BBC they are investigating a suspected sabotage incident at a water pump on the island, which took place at about 5:30 p.m. local time.

Officers said technicians discovered that a cable had been pulled out of an electrical cabinet, cutting off power to the pump. It is unclear who is behind the suspected sabotage attack, police said.

In May, now-retired Swedish Armed Forces Supreme Commander Micael Bydén warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin has his sights set on Gotland, which is located between Stockholm, Sweden’s capital, and Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave.

NATO member states have expressed growing concerns over Russia’s heightened activity in European waters, citing potential threats to critical infrastructure.

Russia has been accused of engaging in suspicious maneuvers near key undersea communication cables, which are vital to global communication systems. Moscow has denied any involvement in potential sabotage efforts.

What People Are Saying

Swedish police told the BBC: “Technicians found that someone has opened an electrical cabinet, pulled out a cable and thereby cut off the power to the pump.

“The technician put the cable back and reset the alarm at 21:30 local time, and the pump is now working.”

Then-Swedish Armed Forces Supreme Commander Micael Bydén said in May: “I’m sure that Putin even has both eyes on Gotland. Putin’s goal is to gain control of the Baltic Sea.”

OSINT account Auonsson on X, formerly Twitter, said: “Water supply of strategic Baltic island Gotland was sabotaged last night. Someone broke into the pump controls and destroyed them. The pumps serve a large part of Gotland (pop 61k) and had it gone unnoticed could have left all island without water. Water is ok.”

What Happens Next

An investigation into the incident is underway. Tensions between NATO member states and Russia are likely continue amid the war in Ukraine. U.S. President Donald Trump has urged NATO member states to increase their defense spending to 5 percent of their GDP.