Finnish investigators have found an anchor drag mark on the seabed, suggesting a Russia-linked vessel may have dragged its anchor 62 miles down the Baltic Sea. The Estlink-2 power cable, which transmits energy from Finland to Estonia, ruptured on December 25 after an apparent sabotage.
Underwater research has confirmed the anchor mark belongs to the Eagle S vessel, which is being probed under criminal charges of interference with telecommunications and vandalism. The ship was flagged in the Cook Islands but described by Finnish customs officials as part of Russia’s shadow fleet of fuel tankers.
The incident follows a series of underwater explosions that ruptured Nord Stream pipelines and severed two data cables in Swedish territorial waters. NATO has increased patrols in the Baltic Sea region amid rising tensions since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Finnish police chief Sami Paila said the investigation is ongoing, with the question of intent being clarified as the probe progresses. The incident raises environmental concerns about accidents on aging vessels without Western-regulated insurance.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/finland-undersea-cables-sabotage-russia-linked-ship-dragged-anchor