Finland has detained the oil tanker Eagle S, suspected of causing significant damage to the Estlink 2 undersea power cable between Finland and Estonia, as investigations ramp up amid fears of Russian sabotage.
The incident, which occurred on Christmas Day, involved the severing of this pivotal electricity link, raising alarms over the vulnerability of Europe’s underwater infrastructure. Just days later, on December 26, the Eagle S, flagged under the Cook Islands, was boarded and taken by Finnish officials for its suspected involvement. The tanker is believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” which comprises unmarked vessels used to bypass Western sanctions on Russian crude oil exports.
Officials have described the situation as one of “aggravated sabotage,” with multiple reports confirming the damage to not just the power line, but also to four undersea data cables. The proximity of the vessel to the damaged infrastructure is leading investigators to explore whether the anchor from the Eagle S was responsible for the cuts.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb has called for heightened vigilance to protect Europe’s energy links and highlighted the importance of monitoring activity within the Baltic Sea. “We’ve got the situation under control, and we must continue to work together to safeguard our infrastructure,” he stated on December 29.
Reacting to the breach, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte announced plans to bolster the alliance's military presence in the Baltic region. Discussions were held between Rutte and both Stubb and Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, with NATO reaffirming its commitment to defending Baltic nations against hybrid threats.
“Attacks on our infrastructure are unacceptable,” Rutte said, emphasizing NATO's solidarity with its Baltic allies and the necessity of collective action. Estonia’s Defence Minister, Hanno Pevkur, supported these concerns, declaring plans to initiate naval patrols to surveil the undersea cable and protect it from potential threats.
Simultaneously, the European Union has indicated it will push for sanctions targeting vessels within Russia’s shadow fleet. EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas expressed dismay over the incident, stating, “The suspected vessel poses risks to both security and the environment and will be subject to new sanctions.”
The shadow fleet has emerged as an effective means for Russia to obtain revenue from oil sales, effectively undermining the sanctions placed on them following the country’s invasion of Ukraine. Currently, it is believed nearly 70% of Russian oil exports are conducted through these unmarked vessels.
Finnish authorities have collaborated with partners from the EU, Sweden, and Poland to fully assess the extent of the damage inflicted on the undersea cables. While energy supplies between Finland and Estonia have so far remained stable, with enough capacity to meet demands, communication between Helsinki and Rostock, Germany, saw disruptions due to the incident.
The spokesperson for the Kremlin, Dmitry Peskov, refrained from commenting on the detention of the Eagle S, describing it as “a highly specialized issue” beyond their purview. This steely silence from Moscow contrasts sharply with the heightened scrutiny from European nations, already on high alert following similar incidents.
The Baltic Sea has witnessed increased activity surrounding its undersea infrastructure, with previous sabotage linked to Russian interests—raising fears of systematic attacks aimed at crippling regional stability. The backdrop of these incidents is shaped by recent events: the Nord Stream gas pipelines were damaged last year amid allegations of Russian involvement, underscoring the rising stakes of hybrid warfare tactics.
Moving forward, NATO is set to deploy additional technological measures—such as sea drones—to more effectively monitor and protect underwater cables across both the Baltic and Mediterranean seas, highlighting the urgency of the current geopolitical climate.
“We must comprehend the repeated damage to submarine infrastructure as systematic attacks against our core resources,” maintained Estonia's Foreign Minister, Margus Tsahkna. With regional security at stake, the urgency of collective action and the implementation of stricter measures against the Russian shadow fleet are poised to take center stage as investigations continue.
