Finnish authorities have detained a vessel linked to Russia as part of an investigation into potential damage to Baltic Sea infrastructure. The ship, the Eagle S, is currently held in Finnish territorial waters. Police suspect its anchor may have caused damage to a power cable and several data cables.
Details of the Ship’s Background
Although flagged in the Cook Islands, the Eagle S is connected to Russia’s “shadow fleet” of tankers. These ships, often old with unclear ownership, were acquired to evade Western sanctions during the ongoing war in Ukraine. The fleet has raised concerns due to its age and lack of proper insurance, which poses environmental risks.
Potential Damage to the Estlink-2 Cable
The police suspect that the ship’s anchor caused damage to the Estlink-2 power cable, which runs from Finland to Estonia. This incident follows a series of infrastructure disruptions in the region, including damage to data cables and the Nord Stream pipelines, all believed to be acts of sabotage.
EU and Estonian Reactions
In response to the incident, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned the attack. She described it as “the latest in a series of suspected attacks on critical infrastructure.” Kallas praised Finnish authorities for their swift action. She also emphasized the need for further sanctions targeting Russia’s shadow fleet, calling it a threat to both security and the environment.
Estonian Government’s Emergency Response
The Estonian government convened an emergency meeting following the incident. Prime Minister Kristen Michal called for improved monitoring and protection of critical infrastructure. He warned that repairs to the damaged power cable could take up to seven months. “We need to improve the monitoring and protection of critical infrastructure both on land and at sea,” he stated.
Systemic Threat Highlighted by Estonia’s President
Estonia’s President Alar Karis noted that the repeated damage to Baltic Sea infrastructure indicates a systemic threat, not isolated accidents. He assured that Estonia would take action to counter the threat, working closely with Finland and other NATO allies. “Estonia will take action to counter this threat, together with Finland and other NATO allies,” Karis said on X.
Past Incidents and Ongoing Concerns
Earlier this year, two data cables were severed, one connecting Finland and Germany, and another between Lithuania and Sweden. Germany’s defense minister labeled the incident “sabotage,” although no suspects were identified. In 2022, explosions caused damage to the Nord Stream pipelines, which were also suspected to be acts of sabotage.
Despite these disruptions, Estonia’s network operator, Elering, has reassured the public that there is enough spare capacity to meet power needs.
