Authorities in Finland have opened a criminal investigation focusing on the Eagle S, a Russian oil tanker suspected of causing the sabotage of the Estlink 2 undersea power cable between Finland and Estonia on Christmas Day.
The cable, which is integral to the electricity grid linking the two nations, was abruptly disconnected around 12:26 p.m. local time on December 25, triggering immediate concerns of potential Russian involvement. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo confirmed the incident, noting the importance of ensuring no threats from the Russian "shadow fleet," which is associated with circumventing oil sanctions.
According to officials, the Eagle S, flying the Cook Islands flag, was en route from Saint Petersburg to Port Said, Egypt, and demonstrated suspicious activity near the power cable at the time it was severed. Finnish authorities boarded the vessel soon after its suspected involvement was highlighted.
Speaking about the investigation, Robin Lardot, Director of the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation, said, "From our side, we are investigating grave sabotage." He noted the circumstantial evidence indicating the vessel's anchor may have damaged the cable. The Finnish Border Guard confirmed the absence of the Eagle S's anchor, leading officials to suspect it had dragged across the seabed.
Importantly, this undersea cable disruption is not isolated. Various incidents involving undersea cables have been reported throughout the Baltic Sea region over recent months, prompting fears of sabotage linked to Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Previous disruptions included two telecommunications cables severed near Sweden's territorial waters, with indications pointing to the involvement of different vessels.
Finnish officials have received criticism for the lack of clarity surrounding these incidents. Sami Rakshit from the Finnish Customs indicated, "The risks posed by the Russian shadow fleet must be ruled out." He referred to the fleet as part of Russia's effort to evade oil sanctions and noted the increased vigilance surrounding its operations.
Experts have flagged the significance of these undersea cables, stating they are pivotal to global communication and internet functionality. NATO officials have labeled the phenomenon hybrid warfare, expressing considerable concern for security across the alliance.
Following the disconnection of the Estlink 2 cable, officials from Fingrid reported, "At the time of disconnection, the power transmission of the connection was 650 MW from Finland to Estonia. An investigation... has been initiated." They later assured the public the incident would not impact electricity supplies across Finland.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna described the cable damage as not just infrastructure damage but as potentially malicious, indicating the need for heightened security measures. "The shadow fleet is a threat to security in the Baltic," he cautioned.
This event follows previous incidents on November 17 when the Arelion telecommunications cable was damaged alongside the C-Lion 1 submarine cable. Both incidents heightened the atmosphere of suspicion directed at ships operating under unclear ownership and affiliations.
NATO has actively responded to these threats involving undersea infrastructures, recognizing vulnerabilities against hybrid warfare tactics utilized by Russia. Prime Minister Orpo's administration advocates for strict monitoring and maintenance of security across Finnish and Estonian seas to avert future threats.
Throughout the decade, tensions have remained heightened around the Baltic region, often referred to as "NATO lake"—a term showcasing the significant military presence of NATO member states juxtaposed with Russia's naval activities from its Kaliningrad exclave.
The situation unravels as countries like Sweden also wrestle with their own investigations concerning cable severances, where earlier this month undersea cables linking Sweden to Denmark were cut, with suspicions aimed at vessels operating without transparency.
The Nord Stream gas pipeline explosions from September 2022 remain shrouded in mystery, with questions still circulating about responsibility for the damages. Such incidents loom large as European governments work to reinforce their undersea infrastructure, aiming to safeguard their energy supply chains and digital connectivity.
Moving forward, Finnish authorities are maintaining close collaboration with their counterparts across the Baltic to probe the Eagle S and any other implicated vessels. The investigation promises to set precedents for addressing maritime security concerns amid growing geopolitical tensions.
