Finland boards Russian-linked oil tanker after undersea power and internet cables cut | World News

Finland boards Russian-linked oil tanker after undersea power and internet cables cut | World News

An oil tanker carrying oil to Russia and suspected of cutting power and internet cables in the Baltic Sea has been seized by Finnish authorities.

The ship, called the Eagle S by authorities, was boarded by a coast guard crew who took command and drove the ship into Finnish waters, said Helsinki police chief Jari Liukku.

“From our side, we are investigating serious sabotage,” said Robin Lardot, director of the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation. “It is our understanding that an anchor…caused the damage,” he added.

The Finnish Customs Service said it had seized the ship’s cargo and suspected the Eagle S was among Russia’s so-called shadow fleet of old tankers seeking to evade sanctions on the sale of Russian oil.

Helsinki Police Department Police Chief Jari Liukku attends a press conference in Helsinki, Finland, in December, during an investigation into electricity transmission between Finland and Estonia over the Estlink 2 connection, which, according to Finnish network operator Fingrid, was interrupted on Christmas Day 26, 2024. Lehtikuva/ Jussi Nukari via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN BY A MADE AVAILABLE TO THIRD PARTIES. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY REUTERS THIRD PARTY DISTRIBUTORS. FINLAND FROM. NO
Picture:
Police Chief Jari Liukku. Image: Lehtikuva/Reuters

The Eagle S, registered in the Cook Islands, was suspected of causing the failure of a submarine cable between Finland and Estonia on Wednesday.

According to Finnish transport and communications agency Traficom, an investigation is also underway after three internet lines were cut and a fourth was damaged.

Both the Finnish and Estonian governments held emergency meetings on Thursday to assess the situation, separate statements said.

Location of Eagle S, a tanker accused of damaging submarine cables between Estonia and Finland
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The current position of Eagle S and the Estlink 1 and 2 power cables that run between Estonia and Finland

“We are coordinating closely with our allies and stand ready to support their investigations,” said a spokesman for the US National Security Council.

“We are following Estonia and Finland’s investigations and stand ready to provide further support,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in a post on X.

The states around the Baltic Sea are on high alert for possible acts of sabotage. The Balticconnector gas pipeline connects Finland and Estonia was damaged last yearalong with several telecommunication cables.

The European Union said it strongly condemns any deliberate destruction of the continent’s infrastructure: “We commend the Finnish authorities for their quick action in boarding the suspicious ship,” said a joint statement from EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and the European Union Commission.

Fingrid's EstLink 2 substation, operating between Finland and Estonia, is pictured at Anttila in Porvoo, Finland, March 6, 2014. Markku Ulander/Lehtikuva/via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY REUTERS THIRD PARTY DISTRIBUTORS. FINLAND FROM. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN FINLAND. NEW FILE – CORRECT YEAR FROM "2024" TO "2014\
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Fingrid’s EstLink 2 substation in Finland was unable to supply electricity to Estonia. Image: Lehtikuva/Reuters

The 106-mile (170 km) Estlink 2 interconnector will take months to repair, and the failure increased the risk of overload
Power supply in winter, operator Fingrid said in a statement.

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said her country would continue to have adequate access to electricity.

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The Eagle S Panamax oil tanker crossed the Estlink 2 power cable at 10:26 a.m. on Wednesday, a Reuters review of MarineTraffic ship tracking data showed. This was the same time Fingrid said there was a power outage.

The loss of 658 megawatt (MW) Estlink 2 means that only 358 MW Estlink 1 remains operational between the two countries.

United Arab Emirates-based Caravella LLCFZ, which MarineTraffic data shows owns the Eagle S, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

There was also no comment from Peninsular Maritime, which MarineTraffic said is acting as technical manager for the ship.

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