Russian Shadow Fleet Suspected In Baltic Infrastructure Attack

The Eagle S, a tanker tied to Russia’s shadow fleet, was seized by Finnish authorities after allegedly damaging the Estlink-2 power cable. The cable, which connects Finland and Estonia, is crucial to the region’s energy network.

AIS tracking data revealed that the Eagle S made erratic movements over the cable shortly before it was disabled. Investigators later found that one of the ship’s anchors was missing, suggesting deliberate sabotage. The vessel was traveling from St. Petersburg to Port Said when it was intercepted.

This marks the latest in a series of attacks on Baltic undersea infrastructure. Previous incidents involved Chinese vessels damaging gas pipelines and telecom cables, but the responses were less decisive. Finland’s swift action sets a new precedent for addressing these threats.

The Eagle S is believed to be part of a network used by Russia to evade sanctions by smuggling oil. Its suspected involvement in this sabotage raises alarms about hybrid warfare targeting NATO and EU member states.

The damaged cable highlights vulnerabilities in Europe’s energy and communication systems. Protecting these vital networks has become a priority for Northern European nations.

Finnish police are now questioning the crew of the Eagle S to determine the extent of its role in the attack.

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