Finnish authorities detain tanker suspected of cable damage
The Finnish police have reported the relocation of the tanker Eagle S to the port of Porvoo due to suspicions of it having damaged the EstLink2 cable. "The operation went according to plan," stated the communiqué.
The Finnish police have reported the tanker Eagle S's relocation to the Porvoo port. The ship is suspected of damaging the EstLink2 underwater power cable. The operation was executed as planned, with the tanker being escorted by patrol boats, a tugboat, and a border guard helicopter.
Investigation into the tanker
The tanker was detained in the Gulf of Finland, near the Porkkala Peninsula. It is anticipated that the ship will remain anchored in Porvoo while investigations are carried out. The vessel was on a voyage from St. Petersburg to Egypt, transporting approximately 35,000 tonnes of petrol from Russia.
The Finnish agency STT quoted Superintendent Heikki Porola, who emphasised that swift action prevented further damage. The ship was heading towards another cable, EstLink1, and the Balticconnector gas pipeline. At the time of detention, the ship's anchor was not in its position.
Finnish authorities' reaction
The Finnish authorities responded decisively, preventing the suspected vessel from leaving the Gulf of Finland. Mika Aaltola, the former head of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, noted that an increased NATO presence in the region might lead to confrontation with Russia.
"Although the Baltic has become an inland sea of NATO, Russia will want to assert its presence and test Western reactions," added Aaltola.
MP and cybersecurity expert Prof. Jarno Limnell warns against Russian provocations as the Baltic is a crucial corridor for Russia to transport oil. The expert also highlighted other significant areas, such as the Åland Islands and the Kaliningrad Oblast.
According to Jukka Kopra, chairman of the parliamentary defence committee, only now, after the damage to EstLink2 and the detention of the suspected ship, will the "search for ways to combat the shadow fleet" begin.
