Helsinki, Finland – Finnish police have launched an investigation into suspected sabotage after a Russian-linked tanker was found near a damaged undersea electricity cable connecting Finland and Estonia. The incident has raised concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in the region and prompted the European Union to threaten additional sanctions against Russia.
The 'Eagle S,' a tanker flagged in the Cook Islands, was escorted by Finnish border guards and military helicopters after being linked to damage to the EstLink2 submarine cable. The ship, suspected of belonging to Russia's "shadow fleet," is now under investigation for a serious crime related to sanctions evasion.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo warned that "shadow fleets pose a significant risk to other Baltic Sea states and the rest of the European Union." Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas called for increased monitoring and protection of critical European infrastructure.
The European Commission and the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, condemned the incident, stating, "The suspected vessel is part of Russia's 'shadow fleet,' which threatens security and the environment while financing Russia's war budget. We will propose new measures, including sanctions, to target this fleet."
The EU also pledged to strengthen mechanisms to protect submarine cables in Europe through improved information sharing, international cooperation, and new detection technologies.
The incident has highlighted the growing concern over the use of so-called "shadow fleets" by Russia to evade Western sanctions and support its war effort in Ukraine. These fleets consist of vessels from third countries that are used to transport prohibited goods to Russia or to benefit the Kremlin.
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