Baltic Power Cable Sabotage Leads To Tanker Seizure By Finland

Finnish forces detained the Eagle S, a Cook Islands-registered tanker, after it was linked to damage of the Estlink-2 power cable. The cable, connecting Finland and Estonia, is a key part of the region’s energy infrastructure.

AIS data showed the tanker performing unusual maneuvers near the cable, prompting suspicion. Officials also noted the ship was missing one of its anchors, leading investigators to believe it was involved in the sabotage.

This incident is part of a troubling pattern. Over the past year, multiple undersea cables in the Baltic region have been damaged. In previous cases, Chinese vessels were implicated, but responses from authorities were slow and limited.

The Eagle S is thought to belong to Russia’s shadow fleet, a covert operation used to smuggle oil and bypass sanctions. Finnish authorities acted quickly to board the vessel and question its crew, a sharp contrast to earlier responses involving Chinese ships.

Sabotage of undersea cables is seen as hybrid warfare, threatening the stability of NATO and EU nations. The Baltic’s infrastructure is particularly vulnerable due to its importance to Europe’s energy and communication networks.

The damaged Estlink-2 cable has further underscored the need for stronger security measures in the region.

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