Finnish Commandos Board Russian-Linked Tanker Suspected In Cable Damage

Finnish forces seized the oil tanker Eagle S on Thursday after suspecting it of involvement in damaging the undersea Estlink-2 power cable, which connects Finland and Estonia. The tanker, registered in the Cook Islands, was en route from St. Petersburg to Port Said, Egypt, and is believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” a network allegedly used to smuggle Russian crude oil.

The investigation began after the Estlink-2 power line was temporarily disabled. Automatic Identification System (AIS) data revealed that the Eagle S had made unusual maneuvers in the area, coinciding with the damage. Authorities also noted that one of the ship’s anchors was missing, further raising suspicions.

This marks the fourth deliberate incident targeting Baltic undersea infrastructure. In October 2023, a Chinese container ship was accused of damaging a gas pipeline and two telecom cables between Finland and Estonia by dragging an anchor. Similar incidents followed in 2024, with Chinese vessels suspected of damaging critical cables linking Germany, Finland, Lithuania, and the Swedish island of Gotland.

Unlike the slow response to prior incidents involving Chinese ships, Finnish authorities acted swiftly. Commandos boarded the Eagle S and detained the crew for questioning. Finnish police are now leading the investigation into the tanker’s alleged role in the sabotage.

These acts of underwater sabotage are seen as hybrid warfare, threatening both NATO and the EU. While Russia and China deny involvement, their roles in these incidents have raised concerns among European leaders.

The Baltic region’s critical infrastructure, including telecom and power grids, is vital to the stability of Northern Europe, making these incidents a growing security concern.

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