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Finland Seizes Eagle S Tanker Linked to Russia's Shadow Fleet After Baltic Cable Damage

Dec 30, 2024, 03:33 AM

Finnish authorities have seized the Russia-linked oil tanker Eagle S, suspected of damaging undersea power and telecommunications cables in the Baltic Sea on December 25. The vessel, allegedly carrying sanctioned Russian oil and equipped with high-powered Russian spy equipment, is believed to have severed the Estlink 2 power cable and four telecom cables connecting Finland and Estonia by dragging its anchor along the seabed. Investigators discovered anchor drag marks stretching for nearly 100 kilometers near the damaged cables and noted that the Eagle S was missing an anchor. Finnish special forces boarded the tanker and towed it to a port near Porvoo for further investigation. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called for new sanctions against Russia, expressing concern over Russia's 'shadow fleet' and its potential involvement in deliberate sabotage of undersea infrastructure. Finnish telecom company Elisa indicated it may seek compensation from the ship's owner if liability is established. The incident underscores security concerns over the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in the region amid heightened tensions between Russia and NATO countries.