Finland Releases Ship Linked to Undersea Cable Sabotage Investigation

Finnish police have allowed the release of the Eagle S, an oil tanker seized in December, as an investigation into alleged sabotage of undersea cables continues, with ongoing scrutiny of the crew.

On March 2, 2025, the Finnish Border Guard announced the release of the Eagle S, an oil tanker retained since December due to suspicions of its involvement in damaging critical undersea cables. The boat has been linked to Russia's shadow fleet, a network of aging vessels covertly transporting oil globally, which has raised alarms about potential sabotage aimed at European infrastructure.

Authorities revealed they are continuing the investigation, even as the ship is no longer confined within Finnish territorial waters. Finland's Prime Minister, Petteri Orpo, informed public broadcaster Yle that the investigation process remains active, reflecting a broader security concern in the Baltic region following recent incidents of cable damage.

Eight crew members aboard the Eagle S are under suspicion of various offenses, including aggravated criminal mischief and interference with communication. While five members have been cleared to leave Finland, the remaining three are still under detention as police work to piece together evidence from the incident.

The cables were cut in late December, invoking NATO's increased security measures in response to the escalation of similar maritime incidents. Just earlier this year, Sweden also detained a vessel amid concerns of sabotage. The Eagle S, originally registered in the Cook Islands, was on a voyage from St. Petersburg, Russia, to Port Said, Egypt, before its seizure.

Longstanding fears among Western nations revolve around Moscow’s possible use of the shadow fleet to bypass sanctions from its ongoing military actions in Ukraine. Russian officials have vehemently denied any links to the alleged sabotage and voiced strong condemnation regarding the Eagle S's detention.