Finnish Authorities Accuse Russian-Linked Vessel Crew of Cable Damage
HELSINKI – Finnish authorities announced on Monday that they have brought charges against the captain and two senior officers of a vessel connected to Russia, claiming their actions led to damage of submarine cables between Finland and Estonia last year.
According to a statement from Finnish prosecutors, the captain of the Eagle oil tanker and its first and second officers face accusations of criminal mischief and serious interference with communication. The names of these individuals have not been disclosed, but they reportedly deny the charges.
Officials allege that, on December 25, the vessel dragged its anchor, causing harm to the Estlink 2 power cable and the communication link between Finland and Estonia. The Kremlin has previously distanced itself from any involvement in this damage to crucial infrastructure that supplies electricity and communication to many Europeans.
The Eagle S is registered under the Cook Islands, yet Finnish customs officials and the European Union describe it as part of a so-called shadow fleet of Russian fuel tankers. These older ships, with ambiguous ownership, have been acquired to circumvent Western sanctions imposed due to the situation in Ukraine, often operating without the required regulatory insurance from Western nations.
In the West, such incidents are viewed as part of a larger pattern of sabotage within Europe, which many believe to be linked to Moscow following the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Submarine cables and pipelines traverse one of Europe’s busiest shipping lanes, connecting Scandinavian, Baltic Sea, and Central European countries. This network is essential for trade, energy security, and in some cases, helps reduce reliance on Russian energy resources.
A recent statement claims that “the Eagle S, after departing from the Russian UST-Luga with petroleum products, is suspected of dragging five submarine cables in the Gulf of Finland to a distance of about 90 kilometers (56 miles) and severing them.”
Prosecutors noted that the cable owner is facing repair costs estimated at 60 million euros (around $69.7 million).
Furthermore, it is suggested that disruptions caused to high-capacity power transmission and communication cables pose serious risks to Finland’s energy and communication supplies, though alternative solutions are available to maintain services.
Defensively, the accused claim that Finland lacks jurisdiction over the matter since the cable damage occurred outside Finnish territory.
The damage to Estlink 2, a cable that provides nearly half of Estonia’s electricity during winter, has led to increased energy prices in the Baltic region, yet services have remained operational. This particular cable stretches approximately 90 miles (145 km) and reaches depths of 90 meters (295 feet) at its lowest point.
