Finnish Investigators Discover Suspected Sabotage Trail in Baltic Sea After Estlink 2 Cable Damage

Finnish investigators have uncovered a nearly 100-kilometer drag mark on the Baltic Sea floor, believed to have been caused by the anchor of the Eagle S, a vessel linked to Russia's "shadow fleet." This discovery follows the damage to the Estlink 2 electricity cable connecting Finland and Estonia, which occurred on December 25, 2024. The incident has raised concerns about potential sabotage and its implications for regional energy security.

The drag mark was identified during an underwater investigation near the site of the damaged Estlink 2 cable. Finnish police chief investigator Sami Paila stated that the trail extended for "dozens of kilometers, if not almost 100 kilometers." The damage to the Estlink 2 cable, which transmits electricity between Finland and Estonia, was significant, and the repair process is expected to take several months. This disruption could lead to increased electricity prices in Estonia over the winter months.

The Eagle S, a crude oil tanker flagged in the Cook Islands, is suspected of causing the damage. The vessel is believed to be part of Russia's "shadow fleet," a network of aging fuel tankers used to evade Western sanctions imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. These tankers often operate without appropriate insurance and are suspected of engaging in activities such as espionage.

Following the discovery, Finnish authorities detained the Eagle S and questioned its crew. The investigation aims to determine the intent behind the incident, with officials suggesting that dragging an anchor over such a distance is unlikely to be accidental. An Estonian official remarked, "If you're dragging an anchor, it can't be that you don't notice it, because the ship would go off course. It's clearly not possible."

In response to the incident, NATO has pledged to increase patrols in the Baltic Sea region. The European Union has condemned the act as part of a broader pattern of sabotage attributed to Russia. The EU is considering further sanctions against Russia's "shadow fleet" involved in circumventing international sanctions.

The damage to the Estlink 2 cable has significant implications for energy security in the region. The repair process is expected to take several months, during which time Estonia may face increased electricity prices. The incident highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to potential sabotage and underscores the need for enhanced security measures to protect such assets.

The discovery of the drag mark on the Baltic Sea floor and the damage to the Estlink 2 cable have raised serious concerns about potential sabotage linked to Russia's "shadow fleet."