Estonia Deploys Navy to Protect Power Cable

Estonia has launched naval patrols to safeguard the Estlink 1 undersea power cable following suspected sabotage incidents that have raised alarm in the region. The decision to deploy the Raju military vessel comes after Finland detained the oil tanker Eagle S, which is suspected of damaging the Estlink 2 cable and multiple communication lines with its anchor. Estonian officials, including Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur, have expressed concerns that the frequency of such damages suggests a pattern rather than coincidence, especially in light of previous incidents since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The situation has prompted Estonia to seek military cooperation with NATO and possibly involve Swedish, German, or Polish forces for enhanced security measures. Investigators believe the Eagle S is part of a Russian shadow fleet evading sanctions, intensifying scrutiny of maritime activities in the Baltic Sea. As tensions mount, both Estonia and Finland are working closely to ensure the integrity of their critical energy connections.