El “Eagle S”he ship suspected of having damaged the Estlink 2 - electrical infrastructure that links Finland with Estonia – and other submarine cableshas been confiscated by the Police Finland to an extent that is part of the investigations carried out by the authorities.
As reported this Saturday by Finnish public radio and television YLEthe ship is currently confiscated and is being transported by Police and Coast Guard units to the port of Kilpilahti (south).
Heikki Porola, Chief Commissioner of the Helsinki Police, explained to YLE that the transportation is due in part to the fact that, in the previous location of the ship, this was excessively “exposed to the weather”which made it more difficult for “the authorities to have access to the ship.”
To the “Eagle S”, a ship registered in the Cook Islands that sailed the route between Russia and Egypt, He is linked to the so-called “shadow fleet” of Russia: vessels from third countries that help transport prohibited goods to Russia or to benefit the Kremlin within the framework of sanctions imposed by Western countries in retaliation for the war in Ukraine.
According to the Finnish agency Media bankthe authorities of the Nordic country estimate that the breakage of Estlink 2 occurred last Christmas day.
Damage to four other telecommunications cables is also attributed to the “Eagle S”, although investigations into the damage caused by this ship continue.
This Saturday,the Finnish energy company Fingrid estimated that the repair of the damage suffered by the Estlink 2 cable will last until next summer.
According to the Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomatwhich quotes Kimmo Nepola, Fingrid’s power grid manager, The repairs will take place until next July and will cost an estimated tens of millions of euros.
On the other hand, the Secretary General of NATO, Mark rutteannounced
Suspected Russian Ship Investigated After Baltic sea Cable Cut
A major undersea cable disruption in the Baltic Sea has sparked a multinational inquiry, focusing on a ship suspected of belonging to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.” The incident has prompted NATO to bolster its military presence in the region, raising concerns about potential sabotage and the vulnerability of critical infrastructure.
Finnish authorities are leading the probe, with the Finnish Police announcing an investigation into the seabed surrounding the tanker “Eagle S.” The Finnish Border Guard has heightened its readiness to respond to potential oil spills, while Swedish maritime authorities have increased traffic monitoring, according to SVT.
Sami Rahskit, Finland’s director general of Customs, stated that “The ship investigated belongs to the so-called ‘shadow fleet’ of Russia.” This revelation adds fuel to the speculation surrounding the cause of the EstLink2 cable failure. However, Kremlin spokesman Dimitri Peskov downplayed the incident, asserting that the cable break “is not an vital issue.”
the incident has prompted a strong response from NATO. dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte confirmed that the Atlantic alliance “will increase its military presence in the Baltic Sea” following the cable failure. Rutte discussed the situation with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, who, along with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, confirmed NATO’s commitment to strengthening its presence around critical European infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.
The investigation into the “Eagle S” and the damaged cable carries notable geopolitical implications. The potential for sabotage raises concerns about the security of undersea infrastructure vital for dialog and energy transmission, highlighting the need for enhanced protection of these critical assets. The increased NATO presence underscores the alliance’s commitment to safeguarding its members and regional stability in the face of potential threats.
Undersea Cable Cut Sparks Investigation: Suspect Vessel Linked to Russia
A significant disruption to the power grid connecting Finland and Estonia is under investigation, focusing on a vessel registered in the Cook Islands and possibly linked to Russia. The damage to the EstLink2 high-voltage cable,a crucial link between the two countries’ energy systems,has raised concerns about potential geopolitical implications.
The damaged cable, EstLink2, stretches 170 kilometers, with 145 kilometers running beneath the Baltic Sea. Fourteen kilometers of the cable lie within Finnish waters, and twelve kilometers are in Estonian territory. Authorities suspect the damage was caused by anchors, as the anchors of the implicated vessel, the “Eagle S,” were reportedly missing.
The “Eagle S,” flying the flag of the Cook Islands, was transporting gasoline after refueling at a Russian port. While the crew is currently being questioned, their nationality remains unconfirmed. The vessel’s connection to Russia is a key element of the ongoing investigation.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure, especially undersea cables that are essential for energy security and international communication. The potential for such incidents to disrupt energy supplies and have wider geopolitical consequences is a growing concern for European nations.
While the investigation is ongoing, the absence of the “Eagle S’s” anchors is a significant piece of evidence pointing towards its involvement in the damage to the EstLink2 cable. The full extent of the damage and the timeline for repairs remain unclear.
The incident underscores the importance of safeguarding critical infrastructure and the potential for unintended consequences from seemingly isolated maritime events. The investigation’s findings will be crucial in determining the full extent of the incident and preventing similar occurrences in the future.
