Investigations Underway for Baltic Sea Cable Sabotage

Finnish authorities are investigating the oil tanker Eagle S, suspected of sabotaging the Estlink 2 undersea power cable between Finland and Estonia on Christmas Day. This incident follows similar cable disruptions in the Baltic Sea, raising concerns about a series of deliberate attacks on critical infrastructure linked to Russian operations. The Eagle S, which was carrying unleaded gasoline loaded in a Russian port, is believed to be part of a 'shadow fleet' evading sanctions related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Finnish officials found evidence of anchor dragging near the damaged cables, prompting intensified scrutiny and calls for sanctions from European leaders. NATO plans to bolster its military presence in response to these ongoing threats, emphasizing the importance of joint maritime surveillance among Baltic nations. The cumulative incidents have led to warnings from officials that these acts are likely not coincidental, highlighting a growing security concern in the region.