Russia-linked Eagle S ship officers face charges in Finland for damage to underwater communication cables
The oil tanker Eagle S, flagged in the Cook Islands and part of Russia's shadow fleet of fuel tankers, has been accused of damaging undersea cables connecting Finland with Estonia. The vessel, owned and commercially managed by Caravella LLC-FZ based in the UAE and Peninsular Maritime India PVT as its ISM manager, is under investigation by Finnish and Estonian authorities.
Alleged Damage to Estlink 2 Submarine Cable
Finnish prosecutors and authorities accuse the Eagle S of dragging its anchor along the seabed for about 90 kilometers, causing damage to the Estlink 2 submarine power cable between Finland and Estonia, as well as fiber-optic cables owned by Finnish telecom operator Elisa. The alleged incident occurred on 25 December.
Investigation and Seizure of the Vessel
Following the investigation, Finnish Customs seized the vessel, with Estonian authorities also involved in the investigation. References to the Eagle S were removed from some fleet listings after the incident, reflecting the sensitivity around the case after its seizure.
Total Repair Costs and Denial of Involvement
The total repair costs for the damaged cables are estimated to be at least €60 million. The Kremlin has previously denied involvement in damaging the infrastructure.
Part of Ongoing Sabotage Attacks in Europe
The incident is believed to be part of ongoing sabotage attacks in Europe allegedly linked to Moscow. For the West, such incidents are seen as part of widespread sabotage attacks in Europe, allegedly linked to Moscow.
The Eagle S and the Russian Shadow Fleet
The Eagle S operates without Western-regulated insurance and is part of the so-called Russian "shadow fleet," involved in circumventing sanctions on Russian oil exports. The vessel, an aging one with obscure ownership, was acquired to evade Western sanctions imposed following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Impact on Energy Supply and Telecommunications
Though the Estlink 2 cable did not experience a disruption in service, the damage caused a serious risk to energy supply and telecommunications in Finland. Services were secured using alternative connections, but the incident drove up energy prices in the Baltic nations. The undersea cables and pipelines that crisscross one of the busiest shipping lanes in Europe link Nordic, Baltic, and central European countries, promoting trade, energy security, and in some cases, reducing dependence on Russian energy resources.
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