HELSINKI, Finland — Finnish investigators looking into the damage sustained by a power cable and several data cables in the Baltic Sea revealed that they have identified an anchor drag mark on the seafloor. This mark is believed to be from a vessel linked to Russia that has already been captured, intensifying fears of potential sabotage linked to what has been termed Russia’s “shadow fleet.” This fleet consists of aging fuel tankers with obscure ownership structures, acquired for evading Western sanctions amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and these ships are operating without insurance under Western regulations.
The Estlink-2 power cable, responsible for transmitting electricity from Finland to Estonia across the Baltic Sea, suffered a rupture on December 25, resulting in minimal service disruption. This incident occurred after prior damage was recorded to two data cables and the Nord Stream gas pipelines, which have also been regarded as acts of sabotage. Sami Paila, a chief investigator with the Finnish police, mentioned during a report to the Finnish national TV network Yle that the anchor drag mark extended for “dozens of kilometers…if not almost 100 kilometers (62 miles).”
Paila further commented, “Our current understanding indicates that this particular drag mark originates from the anchor of the seized vessel, Eagle S.” He noted that this conclusion was reached through thorough underwater investigations. He did not delve into additional specifics but mentioned that authorities had developed a “preliminary understanding of what occurred at sea and how the anchor mark was created.” He underscored the significance of discerning the “question of intent,” which remains a crucial focus of the preliminary inquiry.
On Saturday, officials revealed that the seized Eagle S was escorted to a location near Porvoo to aid the investigation. The vessel is facing criminal charges related to aggravated interference with telecommunications, aggravated vandalism, and other serious regulatory offenses. Although Eagle S is flagged in the Cook Islands, it has been categorized by Finnish customs officials and the European Union as part of Russia’s shadow fleet of fuel tankers. Environmental worries have been raised concerning this fleet’s operations due to the age and questionable insurance of the vessels involved.
In response to the cable rupture, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte announced that the alliance, which Finland joined last year, would enhance patrols in the Baltic Sea region. Meanwhile, the Finnish Coast Guard reported a separate tanker heading toward a Russian port experienced engine failure and began to drift before anchoring in the Gulf of Finland, south of the Hanko Peninsula. This ship, known as M/T Jazz, is registered in Panama and was traveling from Sudan to Primorsk, Russia, reportedly without any oil cargo. Finnish authorities have deployed a tugboat and patrol ship to prevent any further drifting and to protect the surrounding environment.
Janne Ryönänkoski, the Coast Guard’s regional director, assured the public that there was no immediate threat to the seabed infrastructure. Earlier, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas remarked that since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, there has been an uptick in sabotage across Europe. Kallas conveyed to the German publication Welt that the recent acts of sabotage in the Baltic Sea are interconnected rather than isolated occurrences, indicating a systematic approach aimed at undermining digital and energy infrastructures.
She committed to ensuring that the EU would implement “stronger measures to counter the risks posed” by Russia’s shadow fleet. Finland, which shares a 1,340-kilometer (832-mile) border with Russia, has shifted away from its long-standing policy of neutrality and formally joined NATO in 2023, a move closely linked to the ongoing war in Ukraine.