Finland Seizes Russian Tanker Over Baltic Cable Damage; Germany Calls for EU Sanctions

Dec 29, 2024, 12:20 PM

Finnish authorities have seized the Russian-linked oil tanker Eagle S, suspected of damaging undersea power and telecommunications cables in the Baltic Sea on December 25. The tanker, part of Russia's so-called 'shadow fleet' and carrying Russian oil, is believed to have severed the Estlink 2 power cable between Finland and Estonia, as well as four additional telecom cables, by dragging its anchor along the seabed. Investigators have found drag marks stretching for dozens of kilometers, possibly up to 100 km, on the seafloor near where the cables were damaged. Reports suggest the Eagle S was equipped with transmitting and receiving devices, effectively functioning as a spy ship. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has called for new European Union sanctions against Russia, warning that Russian ships are damaging vital undersea cables almost every month. The European Union is considering stronger measures in response to the incidents.