Finnish Authorities Investigate Russian Tanker for Baltic Sea Cable Sabotage
The Eagle S tanker, linked to Russia's shadow fleet, is suspected of damaging critical undersea power and communication cables between Finland and Estonia.
- Finnish investigators suspect the Eagle S oil tanker damaged the Estlink 2 power cable on December 25 by dragging its anchor along the seabed for up to 62 miles.
- The ship, flagged under the Cook Islands and linked to Russia's shadow fleet, has been detained near Helsinki, with seven crew members under travel restrictions during the investigation.
- Authorities have found anchor drag marks and damage to the ship's hull consistent with the cable rupture, which caused power disruptions and damaged fiber optic lines.
- The incident follows a pattern of suspected sabotage targeting undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
- NATO and the EU have pledged to increase naval patrols and enhance critical infrastructure protections in response to the growing threat of hybrid warfare in the region.
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