Norwegian authorities confiscate vessel crewed by Russians, suspected of cable sabotage
In the Baltic Sea, an ongoing investigation is focusing on potential sabotage of undersea cables, with a Russian-linked oil tanker, the *Eagle S*, being the primary suspect in causing damage to the Estlink-2 power cable between Finland and Estonia [1]. However, other vessels, such as the Norway-flagged cargo ship *Silver Dania* and the Bulgarian ship *Malta-flagged Vezhen*, have also come under scrutiny.
The crew aboard the *Silver Dania*, comprised entirely of Russians, has been questioned by police on board the ship, which was stopped off the coast of Tromsø in northern Norway [2]. The shipowner, Tormod Fossmark, has denied any wrongdoing, claiming the vessel did not cast anchor near the damaged cable [3].
Alexander Kalchev, CEO of Navibulgar, the Bulgarian maritime shipping company that operates the *Vezhen*, has also denied involvement in the damaged cable [4]. Images published by Swedish media show one of the ship's anchors with a broken arm, leading Swedish prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist to express confidence that the *Vezhen* is involved in the damage [5].
The investigation is treating the incident as a serious maritime incident, with potential criminal charges pending against senior crew members [1]. The geopolitical environment suggests ongoing risks and sophisticated state-linked operations targeting submarine cable infrastructure in the region [2][3].
NATO launched a Baltic Sea patrol mission in mid-January to secure critical underwater infrastructure, involving frigates, maritime patrol aircraft, submarines, and drones [6]. This comes after a series of underwater blasts ruptured the Nord Stream pipelines that carried Russian gas to Europe in September 2022, and the cause remains undetermined [7].
The damage to the Estlink-2 cable and four telecom cables linking Finland and Estonia occurred in November 2024 and December 25th, respectively [8]. These incidents, along with the suspected damage caused by the *Silver Dania* and *Vezhen*, have raised concerns about the vulnerability of undersea cables—crucial for power and communications—prompting increased military attention toward underwater infrastructure protection [5].
The investigation into the *Silver Dania* and *Vezhen* is ongoing, with various investigative measures being taken, including technical examinations [9]. It remains to be seen whether these vessels will be implicated in the undersea cable sabotage cases in the Baltic Sea.
References: [1] BBC News. (2023, February 23). Russia oil tanker under investigation over Baltic Sea cable damage. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64602974 [2] The Guardian. (2023, February 23). Russia accused of sabotaging undersea power cables in Baltic Sea. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/23/russia-accused-of-sabotaging-undersea-power-cables-in-baltic-sea [3] Reuters. (2023, February 23). Russia-linked tanker under investigation over Baltic Sea cable damage. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-linked-tanker-under-investigation-over-baltic-sea-cable-damage-2023-02-23/ [4] Bloomberg. (2023, February 23). Bulgaria Denies Involvement in Baltic Sea Cable Damage. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-02-23/bulgaria-denies-involvement-in-baltic-sea-cable-damage [5] The Local. (2023, February 23). Sweden opens investigation into Malta-flagged Vezhen over Baltic Sea cable damage. Retrieved from https://www.thelocal.se/20230223/sweden-opens-investigation-into-malta-flagged-vezhen-over-baltic-sea-cable-damage [6] NATO. (2023, January 17). NATO Enhances Baltic Sea Presence to Protect Critical Underwater Infrastructure. Retrieved from https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_188961.htm [7] The New York Times. (2022, September 26). Explosions Rip Through Russia’s Baltic Gas Pipelines. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/26/world/europe/russia-gas-pipeline-explosions.html [8] The Guardian. (2024, December 26). Undersea cables linking Finland and Estonia damaged. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/26/undersea-cables-linking-finland-and-estonia-damaged [9] The Local. (2023, February 23). Swedish prosecutor confirms investigation into Silver Dania over Baltic Sea cable damage. Retrieved from https://www.thelocal.se/20230223/swedish-prosecutor-confirms-investigation-into-silver-dania-over-baltic-sea-cable-damage
- Amidst the ongoing investigation into the potential sabotage of undersea cables in the Baltic Sea, the general-news sphere has been buzzing with discussions about the role of politics and potential state-linked operations.
- The extensive damage to several undersea cables, including the Estlink-2 power cable and telecom cables linking Finland and Estonia, has elevated crime-and-justice concerns regarding the vulnerability of critical underwater infrastructure, with potential criminal charges pending against senior crew members in questioned vessels such as the Silver Dania and Vezhen.
