The bloc announced new steps to prevent threats to undersea lines after Sweden discovered damage to one east of Gotland island.

NATO is ratcheting up its guard against suspected attempts to sabotage underwater energy and data cables and pipelines that crisscross the Baltic Sea.

Swedish authorities said Friday they were investigating a damaged cable that was discovered in the Baltic Sea , the latest in a string of recent incidents of ruptured undersea cables that have heightened fears of Russian sabotage and spying in the region.