---
title: "Finnish Authorities Seize Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker Over Sabotaged Baltic Sea Cables"
publisher: "Stockmark.IT"
author: "Stockmark.IT Website"
published: "2024-12-27T06:33:42+00:00"
modified: "2024-12-27T06:33:42+00:00"
date: 2024-12-27
canonical: "https://stockmark.it/finnish-authorities-seize-russian-shadow-fleet-tanker-over-sabotaged-baltic-sea-cables/"
category: "Infrastructure"
categories: ["Infrastructure", "Shipping"]
image: "https://i0.wp.com/stockmark.it/wp-content/uploads/stencil.default-1-3.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1"
format: "news"
language: "en-GB"
---

# Finnish Authorities Seize Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker Over Sabotaged Baltic Sea Cables

**Published:** December 27, 2024
**Author:** Stockmark.IT Website
**Categories:** Infrastructure, Shipping
**Featured image:** ![Aerial view of a large ship in a dry dock, undergoing repairs. Two cranes are visible. from Stockmark.it](https://i0.wp.com/stockmark.it/wp-content/uploads/stencil.default-1-3.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1)

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Finnish officials have detained an oil tanker belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet following suspicions of damaging crucial underwater infrastructure in the Gulf of Finland. The vessel, Eagle S, registered in the Cook Islands, was intercepted by Finnish authorities after the Estlink 2 subsea electricity cable experienced a disconnection.

The vessel, transporting Russian oil to Egypt, was observed crossing the cable’s location during the incident. Finnish law enforcement officials revealed their belief that the ship’s missing anchor was responsible for severing both the power cable and three communication lines, prompting an investigation into aggravated sabotage.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb emphasised the urgent need to mitigate risks posed by vessels within the Russian shadow fleet—a collection of aged, often substandard ships utilised by Russia to circumvent international oil export sanctions.

The incident marks the latest in a series of infrastructure disruptions in the Baltic Sea region. Previous cases involved Chinese vessels, including the Newnew Polar Bear’s damage to a Finland-Estonia gas pipeline and the Yi Peng 3’s association with severed data cables between multiple Nordic nations.

The Eagle S case presents a unique situation as the vessel voluntarily entered Finnish waters, eliminating jurisdictional complications. The ship’s ownership structure remains obscure, with records indicating sole ownership by a Dubai-based enterprise.

Whilst Finnish and Estonian officials maintain that the Estlink 2 damage won’t compromise their power supplies, Estonia has been forced to import electricity from Russia to address the shortfall. The European Commission has pledged support for the investigation and announced plans for additional measures, including sanctions targeting the shadow fleet.

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**Original URL:** https://stockmark.it/finnish-authorities-seize-russian-shadow-fleet-tanker-over-sabotaged-baltic-sea-cables/
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