Unraveling the Mystery: Finland, Russia, and the Enigma of the Cut Undersea Cable

On Saturday near Porkkalanniemi, Kirkkonummi, in the Gulf of Finland, the oil tanker Eagle S (L), registered under the Cook Islands flag, is seen alongside the tugboat Ukko (R).

Jussi Nukari/Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images

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Jussi Nukari/Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images

Finnish officials examining a severed underwater power cable reported over the weekend that they found a drag mark from an anchor measuring 60 miles on the seafloor, which they believe is related to a vessel associated with Russia.

The Baltic Sea power cable connecting Finland and Estonia was damaged last week, in addition to several data lines.

Authorities suspect the ship, Eagle S, is part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” a group of vessels with ambiguous ownership aimed at circumventing Western oil sanctions enacted due to the conflict in Ukraine. The ship has been detained by Finnish authorities as the investigation proceeds.

This is the latest in a series of events that have sparked concerns throughout Europe, amid apprehensions that Russia is engaging in sabotage against European infrastructure in retaliation for EU support for Ukraine.

NATO, for its part, has pledged enhanced military support in the Baltic Sea region.

The Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C., did not issue an immediate response to NPR’s inquiry for a comment. Russia has denied involvement in similar past occurrences.

This is what we currently understand about the damaged power cable, the ongoing investigation, and Russia’s “shadow fleet.”

How the recent incident transpired

On Christmas Day, the undersea power cable linking Finland and Estonia, referred to as Estlink-2, was severed in a region where the seabed is naturally challenging to access.

Finnish officials identified the damage during standard monitoring activities and swiftly initiated an inquiry.

Late on Sunday, chief investigator Sami Paila from the Finnish police stated to Finnish National Broadcaster Yle that investigators found an anchor drag mark extending for “dozens of kilometers… if not nearly 100 kilometers (62 miles),” indicating intentional actions.

Although this disruption had minimal immediate effects on services, it has highlighted the vulnerabilities of crucial infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.

The incident also followed damage to two data cables in November and explosions of the Nord Stream gas pipelines in 2022. Investigators from those episodes have indicated that the cables and pipelines were purposefully targeted.

The vessel apprehended by Finland traversed over the cables, investigators claim

Finnish investigators have apprehended the Eagle S, a crude oil tanker weighing 70,000 tons and registered in the Cook Islands.

The ship was operating nearby the cables at the time of the event and had departed from Russia the previous day. Finnish officials noted that the Eagle S appeared to have slowed as it passed over the cables at approximately the same time as the incident occurred.

Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation on Saturday announced it was examining the vessel under criminal allegations including severe criminal mischief and serious interference with communications. Additionally, the crew members were being interrogated.

Authorities seized items from the ship for examination, a process they indicated could take several months to finalize.

European leaders condemned the incident but have not yet publicly accused Russia

European leaders have denounced the event, stressing the urgency of safeguarding critical infrastructure.

“Undersea cables and pipelines connecting our nations across the Baltic Sea have existed for years without any significant incidents or damages,” stated Lauri Läänemets, Estonia’s interior minister, in a conversation with NPR, adding: “It is exceedingly improbable, even naïve to assume that three such incidents within a single year could merely be coincidental.”

Läänemets was prudent about openly attributing blame to Russia for this most recent occurrence while Finland’s investigation continues, but he did express that Europe needs “to take decisive measures to sanction Russia’s shadow fleet operating in the Baltic Sea.”

Undersea cables offer a significant source of electricity to Estonia and neighboring Baltic states. Fingrid, the electricity transmission operator for Finland, stated that repairs may take several months and cautioned that the cable severance could increase the likelihood of a “tight power situation” for Estonians.

Finland and Estonia quickly urged NATO to enhance its presence in the Baltic Sea.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte conveyed plans to escalate military operations in the area, including naval patrols.

However, some criticize the EU for not acting swiftly enough.

“We have been too sluggish in our response,” Marko Mihkelson, the chairman of the Estonian Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, remarked to NPR on Friday, referencing the EU’s inadequate reaction to earlier similar incidents.

In November, two fiber-optic cables in the Baltic Sea were cut. German officials assertedit undermined and the Danish navy intercepted a Chinese cargo vessel that traversed both cables.

In October 2023, a Chinese vessel dragged its anchor for hundreds of miles, damaging undersea cables along with a submerged gas pipeline linking Finland and Estonia. China acknowledged that its ship was involved but claimed it was unintentional.

“We stated after Sweden and Finland joined NATO that the Baltic Sea resembles a NATO lake. Is that true? What measures can we take to protect vital infrastructure?” Mihkelson remarked, adding he would “like to witness more substantial initiatives from NATO.”

The European Commission has suggested specific sanctions against Russia’s covert fleet. These actions intend to discourage future undermining and lessen the fleet’s effect on global safety and the ecosystem.

What to understand about Russia’s purported “shadow fleet”

Russia’s shadow fleet describes a network of aging ships utilized to evade Western sanctions and, allegedly, to carry out clandestine operations. The vessels implement strategies to sell Russian oil while concealing its source.

These tankers frequently function without insurance regulated by the West and use methods such as signal interference to obscure their whereabouts. Many are registered under foreign flags to hide their origins.

After the European Union placed a price cap on Russian oil, approximately 70% of Russia’s oil exports are currently transported by these fleets, according to a briefing from the European Parliament.

Experts believe the Kremlin has poured billions into enhancing this network, with the supposed covert operations used to foster instability across Europe.

“Russia has significantly escalated its efforts in its operations against democratic nations in Europe,” Janne Riihelainen, a national security analyst for various Finnish news outlets, informed NPR.

He further added: “Russia is intensifying pressure on the West while continuing its support for Ukraine by attempting to disrupt the daily lives of ordinary individuals.”