Russia's tanker captain indicted for damaging a Baltic Sea cable, allegedly on Finnish authorities' charge
In a significant development, Finnish prosecutors have formally charged the captain and two senior officers of the Cook Islands-registered oil tanker Eagle S for allegedly sabotaging five undersea cables in the Baltic Sea last December. The ship, believed to be part of Russia’s "shadow fleet," is suspected of dragging its anchor along the seabed for about 90 kilometers, causing damage to the EstLink 2 power cable and four telecommunications cables connecting Finland and Estonia.
The charges against the defendants include aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference with communications. The defendants, however, have denied wrongdoing and contested Finland’s jurisdiction, arguing that the cable damages occurred outside Finnish territorial waters.
The incident, which took place in the Gulf of Finland, is not the first time Russia has been suspected of carrying out hybrid warfare against Western countries in the Baltic region. The damage posed a serious risk to Finland's energy supply and regional telecommunications, although alternative connections prevented service disruptions.
The sabotage has prompted increased NATO surveillance in the region, with Sweden and Finland joining NATO following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Eagle S, which is used for skirting restrictions on Russian oil exports, is suspected of being part of a wider pattern of Russian-linked vessels targeting critical subsea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.
The damage to the undersea cables is estimated to cost at least 60 million euros ($70 million) in repair costs alone. The event has sparked concerns about the security of undersea cables in the Baltic Sea, with many experts calling it part of a "hybrid war" carried out by Russia against Western countries.
As the investigation continues, jurisdictional disputes remain a key aspect of the ongoing legal process. The nationalities of the suspects have not been disclosed. The defendants will have the opportunity to present their case in court.
This incident underscores the growing geopolitical tensions involving control and security of subsea infrastructure in strategic maritime areas. It serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining secure and reliable connections in our increasingly interconnected world.
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