NATO official announcements or press releases

Finland Seizes Russia-Linked Tanker Eagle S with Spy Gear; NATO Increases Baltic Patrols After Cable Sabotage

Dec 28, 2024, 09:24 AM

Finland has detained the Russia-linked tanker Eagle S, flagged in the Cook Islands, which is suspected of damaging the Estlink-2 undersea electricity cable connecting Finland and Estonia on Christmas Day. The tanker was sailing from Russia to Egypt when Finnish forces boarded it and found high-tech Russian signals intelligence equipment onboard, reportedly used to monitor all NATO naval ships and aircraft. Notably, the Eagle S was missing its anchor, which is believed to have been left at the bottom of the Baltic Sea, potentially causing the cable damage. The vessel, thought to be part of Russia's 'shadow fleet' used to circumvent international sanctions, has also allegedly been involved in illegal oil exports from Russia. The crew remains onboard as Finnish police have moved the tanker to the port of Kilpilahti for further examination. Estonia has begun naval patrols to protect the remaining undersea cables, with Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur emphasizing the need for increased security measures. Finnish President Alexander Stubb remarked, 'If there are three such events in a year, they can't all be coincidences or accidents.' NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte announced that the alliance will strengthen its military presence in the Baltic Sea in response to the 'possible sabotage' of critical undersea infrastructure. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned about the Russian 'shadow fleet' and called for additional EU sanctions against Russia, stating, 'Almost every month, ships damage important underwater cables in the Baltic Sea... I don't believe in coincidences anymore.' The damage to the Estlink-2 cable has significant implications, with estimated repair costs potentially reaching tens of millions of euros and repairs possibly extending until July 2025. The incident has heightened concerns over the security of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea region amid increasing geopolitical tensions.