Image:NU
Finnish authorities have released the oil tanker Eagle S, which had been held since December 26 following damage to undersea power and data cables in the Baltic Sea. The vessel is now being escorted out of Finnish waters.
The Eagle S, suspected of dragging its anchor across the seabed and causing significant damage to critical infrastructure, had been detained in a bay off Finland’s coast for over two months. Finnish police believe the vessel is responsible for severing a major power cable and four internet cables linking Estonia and Finland. The anchor in question was recovered in January, providing key evidence in the ongoing investigation.
Despite the release of the ship, Finnish authorities maintain that the case is far from closed. Several crew members remain under investigation for their potential involvement in the incident. Three individuals still face criminal charges for “serious damage and disruption of communication,” while travel restrictions on five others have been lifted. The remaining suspects are barred from leaving Finland as legal proceedings continue.
Authorities in Finland have pointed to Russia as the likely orchestrator behind the damage. The Eagle S, sailing under the Cook Islands flag, had departed from St. Petersburg, fueling suspicions of its links to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.” This network of vessels is believed to be instrumental in circumventing Western sanctions imposed on Moscow.
Adding to these concerns, reports indicate that the Eagle S previously exhibited suspicious behavior. In November 2023, the vessel reportedly hovered for two hours over a vital telecommunications cable north of Terschelling, a Dutch island. The cable, part of the Atlantic Crossing 1 system, serves as a key data link between Europe and the United States .
The case has intensified scrutiny over maritime activities in the Baltic region, particularly as geopolitical tensions continue to rise. With undersea infrastructure playing a critical role in global communication and energy networks, disruptions like these have far-reaching implications. Finnish authorities, alongside international partners, are expected to continue their probe into both the immediate damage and potential broader security threats tied to the incident.
Source:NU
