Finland has seized a Russian-linked oil tanker after undersea cables were cut in the Baltic Sea, the country’s prime minister said on Thursday. The incident is part of a growing series of disruptions to undersea infrastructure that are being investigated as acts of sabotage.
The Estlink 2 submarine cable, which carries electricity between Finland and Estonia, was cut on Wednesday, and four other cables carrying data were also damaged. Finnish authorities believe the oil tanker, registered in the Cook Islands, was involved in cutting the undersea cables, which they attribute to Russia’s shadow fleet of ships aimed at bypassing sanctions.
The ship, Eagle S, was sailing from St. Petersburg, Russia to Port Said, Egypt when it entered Finnish waters. Finland’s customs agency has seized the vessel, and its head said that it is believed to be part of Russia’s shadow fleet.
Finland’s prime minister, Petteri Orpo, warned that the incident underscores the danger of a shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea, which he says is used by Russia to wage war against Ukraine. Orpo called on his country’s leaders to take effective measures to stop the shadow fleet and prevent further disruptions to undersea infrastructure.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of NATO nations to potential meddling from Moscow. Estonia’s prime minister, Kristen Michal, praised Finland’s swift action, saying that it demonstrates a commitment to protecting European critical infrastructure.
The cut to the Estlink 2 cable caused little disruption in Finland and Estonia, but communication services between Helsinki and Rostock were affected, according to digital communications company Cinia. Repairs to the cable could take several weeks.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/26/world/europe/finland-estonia-cables-russia.html