The Eagle S, a tanker registered in the Cook Islands, was seized by Finnish forces on Thursday in connection with the damage of the Estlink-2 power cable. The cable is a vital energy link between Finland and Estonia.
Finnish authorities have seized a ship carrying Russian oil, on the suspicion it severed an undersea power cable between Finland and Estonia
احتجزت السلطات الفنلندية سفينة تحمل نفطًا روسيًا، للاشتباه في أنها قطعت كابلًا كهربائيًا تحت البحر بين فنلندا وإستونيا.
From:Channel 4 News pic.twitter.com/mxGsgOHpK2— Mohammad Javid (@PhyuLay60937915) December 27, 2024
Investigators identified the Eagle S as a suspect after AIS data showed it maneuvering suspiciously over the cable. Further inspection revealed that one of the tanker’s anchors was missing, raising concerns about deliberate sabotage.
Finland seizes control of ship carrying Russian oil suspected in cutting undersea power cable https://t.co/PaanGyWTz1 via @JustTheNews
— † Crusader (@Wil_Johnson1) December 28, 2024
This event follows a series of similar incidents in the Baltic. In 2023, a Chinese ship was accused of dragging an anchor across a gas pipeline and telecom cables. Additional sabotage in 2024 targeted cables connecting multiple Northern European nations.
Finnish authorities seized a ship carrying Russian oil in the Baltic Sea on suspicion it caused the outage of an undersea power cable connecting Finland and Estonia a day earlier, and that it also damaged or broke four internet lines, as @thehill reports. https://t.co/jxKBvDy9qM
— Shahriyar Gourgi (@ShahriyarGourgi) December 27, 2024
The Eagle S is believed to be part of Russia’s shadow fleet, a network used to transport oil while evading sanctions. Its suspected role in this latest attack highlights the growing threat of hybrid warfare in the region.
Nato boosts presence in Baltic Sea after power cable cut.
Finland seizes Russian oil ship suspected of sabotaging undersea power installation.https://t.co/VgP6F1LTzc— Mayte Chummia (@Maytechummia) December 27, 2024
Finnish authorities have detained the tanker’s crew for questioning. Their investigation is focusing on the ship’s activities and potential links to other sabotage cases.
🇫🇮Finland and 🇪🇪Estonia have requested NATO support following damage to Estlink 2 power cable on Christmas Day.
Ship suspected of involvement that left Russia on 24th Dec – MV Eagle S, detained in Finnish waters by Finnish Border Guard OPV Turva
Photo @rajavartijat pic.twitter.com/v55E28lUaA
— Navy Lookout (@NavyLookout) December 27, 2024
The repeated targeting of undersea cables underscores the vulnerability of Europe’s critical infrastructure, with NATO allies calling for enhanced security measures.
