Finnish Seize Tanker in Cable Sabotage Probe

Finnish authorities have seized the Eagle S, a Cook Islands-registered oil tanker suspected of damaging the Estlink 2 power cable connecting Finland and Estonia, as well as several data cables. The tanker is believed to be part of Russia's 'shadow fleet', used to evade Western sanctions. The investigation into the incident, which took place on Christmas Day, is being treated as 'aggravated criminal mischief' and potentially 'aggravated sabotage'. Finnish and European Union officials have condemned the disruption, highlighting concerns about Russia's shadow fleet threatening security and the environment. The Eagle S's anchor is suspected to have caused the damage, and no anchor was found on the vessel, further raising suspicions. The European Commission is considering additional sanctions to target this shadow fleet and plans to enhance undersea cable protection measures.