Finland Intervenes After Damage to Undersea Cables Linked to Russia

On December 26, 2024, Finnish police reported taking control of an oil tanker suspected of involvement in the severing of crucial undersea cables. The Estlink 2 cable, which facilitates electricity transmission between Finland and Estonia, was cut just a day prior, adding to a growing list of damage to undersea infrastructure attributed to potential malicious activity. Alongside the Estlink 2 incident, four other data cables also suffered damage, prompting investigations into these alarming occurrences.

The incident occurs amid heightened tensions between NATO nations and Russia, particularly in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Last month, two fiber-optic cables were also reported damaged in the Baltic Sea, with German officials labeling those acts as sabotage. The cables in question are vital links connecting Finland to Germany and Lithuania to Sweden—both NATO allies. With numerous Russian vessels observed near key underwater sites, the prospect of a shadow campaign waged by Russian interests against supportive NATO countries has become a pressing concern.

The Finnish authorities have characterized the recent cutting of cables as “aggravated vandalism.” In their statement, they announced the seizure of the Eagle S tanker, flagged in the Cook Islands but en route from St. Petersburg to Port Said, Egypt, when it entered Finnish territorial waters. This incident illustrates the broader implications of ongoing maritime security issues as geopolitical conflicts evolve, underlining the delicate balance of international relations in the region.