Finland has charged three crew members of an oil tanker, the Eagle S, with sabotage after it was found to have severed five undersea cables in the Gulf of Finland last December. The ship’s captain and two other officers have been charged with aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference with communications. According to authorities, the incident may be linked to Russia’s alleged “shadow fleet,” which is believed to circumvent sanctions imposed on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
The Eagle S was detained in late December by Finnish authorities, who suspected it might belong to Russia’s shadow fleet due to its registration in the Cook Islands and its route from Russia to Egypt. After being released in March, the ship was escorted back into international waters.
The charges come amid concerns that Moscow’s shadow fleet could be used for sabotage. Western officials have long feared that this network of older tankers might be exploited to disrupt energy supplies and telecommunications.
Finnish authorities say the incident has caused a serious risk to energy supply and telecommunications in Finland, resulting in at least 60 million euros ($70 million) in repair costs for the cable owners.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/11/world/europe/finland-cable-severing-charges-russia-shadow-fleet.html