A mysterious incident has unfolded in the Baltic Sea, where an oil tanker, the Eagle S, is suspected of being involved in the sabotage of an important undersea power cable. This cable, known as Estlink 2, connects Finland and Estonia, and its damage has caused power outages in the region. What makes the situation even more suspicious is that the Eagle S was found to be carrying a large amount of spying equipment, leading many to believe it could have been a covert Russian operation.
Mysterious Activities of the Eagle S
The Eagle S, a large tanker flagged in the Cook Islands, was transporting oil and recently passed through the area where the Estlink 2 cable was severed. Shortly after, the ship was seized by Finnish authorities, who discovered something unusual on board. The tanker was found to be equipped with high-tech spy equipment, such as transmitting and receiving devices used to monitor naval activities. These devices were powerful enough to allow the vessel to listen in on radio frequencies, specifically tracking NATO military ships and aircraft.
The equipment was unusual for a merchant ship, especially a tanker, which typically carries only oil and supplies. According to reports, the spy gear required a lot of energy to operate, so much so that it caused blackouts on the ship. The devices included large portable suitcases filled with listening tools, laptops with Russian and Turkish keyboards, and other advanced systems. These were reportedly brought on board when the ship stopped in Turkey and Russia.
Once in Russian waters, the equipment was unloaded and analyzed. The goal seemed clear: to gather information about NATO military activities. The ship’s crew included Russian, Turkish, and Indian radio officers who helped operate the equipment. The spying devices were even used to deploy “sensors” into the English Channel, further raising suspicions about the ship’s true purpose.
The Estlink 2 Cable Incident
On December 25, the Estlink 2 power cable was severely damaged, cutting off a vital 658-megawatt power supply between Finland and Estonia. This caused significant power outages in Estonia. Authorities suspect that the Eagle S may have dragged its anchor along the seabed, accidentally damaging the cable. The incident occurred in Finland’s Exclusive Economic Zone, a region that is closely monitored for security reasons.
Undersea Cables Sabotage: Finland Seizes Russian Tanker Over Damage
Finnish police, along with other authorities, boarded the vessel for investigation. They took the ship into Finnish territorial waters, where it was seized for further inspection. A criminal investigation is now underway, as Finnish officials work to determine if the damage was caused by the ship or if it was part of a deliberate act of sabotage.
In addition to the damage to the Estlink 2 cable, it was reported that four other telecommunications cables between Estonia and Finland were also out of service. The situation raised concerns not only about the physical damage to the cables but also about the potential for future attacks in the region. The Baltic Sea, known for its strategic importance, has become a hotspot for tensions, especially with the ongoing war in Ukraine.
A Pattern of Suspicious Activities
The case of the Eagle S is not the first time suspicious activities have been reported in the Baltic Sea. In November, damage to two other communication cables under the Baltic Sea was also suspected to be sabotage. One of these cables connects Finland and Germany, while the other links Sweden’s Gotland Island to Lithuania. A Chinese vessel, Yi Peng 3, was identified as being near the cables when the damage occurred, though the full details remain unclear.
These incidents come on the heels of last year’s sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, which also occurred in the Baltic Sea. While the exact cause of that sabotage is still under investigation, some reports have suggested that the explosions were linked to a Ukrainian operation, although Ukrainian officials have denied involvement. The rising number of such incidents in the Baltic Sea has raised alarms across Europe and beyond.
The recent events surrounding the Eagle S and the Estlink 2 power cable are just the latest chapter in a growing pattern of suspicious incidents in the region. While it’s still unclear whether the Eagle S was directly responsible for the damage to the cables, the discovery of spy equipment on board has only fueled concerns about the vessel’s true purpose. As the investigation continues, authorities are working hard to piece together the facts and ensure the safety of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.
