Finnish authorities have detained the oil tanker Eagle S, registered in the Cook Islands and linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet,” on suspicion of causing significant damage to undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. The vessel is believed to have severed the Estlink 2 power cable between Finland and Estonia and damaged four internet cables connecting Finland to Estonia and Germany.
The incident occurred on December 25, 2024, when the Estlink 2 cable experienced an unplanned failure, reducing cross-border electricity transmission capacity. Investigations suggest that the Eagle S may have dragged its anchor across the cables, causing the disruptions. Notably, the ship was found missing an anchor during the inspection.
The Eagle S is associated with Russia’s “shadow fleet,” a collection of vessels used to circumvent Western sanctions on Russian oil exports. These ships often operate with minimal maintenance, raising environmental and security concerns.
Finnish and Estonian authorities have convened emergency meetings to address the situation, treating it as a potential act of grave sabotage. International bodies, including NATO and the EU, have expressed readiness to assist in the investigations. Repairing the affected cables is expected to take several months, posing risks to power supply during the winter.
This incident adds to a series of recent disruptions to Baltic Sea infrastructure, including the Nord Stream gas pipelines, heightening concerns about the security of critical infrastructure in the region.
