Finland Finds Anchor Tracks Linking Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker to Cable Damage

Finnish investigators have traced extensive damage to subsea power and data cables to a tanker, Eagle S, whose anchor appears to have caused significant disruption to the undersea cable. The vessel, being a part of a Russian shadow fleet, sails under the Cook Islands flag, and is now detained as authorities investigate serious damage, Bloomberg reported on December 29.

Underwater inspections revealed ‘dragging tracks’ stretching for dozens of kilometers along the seabed, according to Sami Paila, detective chief inspector from Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation. “We have been able to identify the dragging track at the seabed from the beginning to the end,” Paila said, though investigators have not yet determined where the anchor detached from its chain.

The Eagle S is believed to have severed a 170-kilometer (105-mile) electricity line connecting Finland and Estonia on December 25. Four underwater data cables also have experienced disruptions since the incident.

The tanker has been moved to an anchorage in Finland’s port of Kilpilahti for further investigation. Poor weather conditions have hampered on-board and underwater examinations, but authorities are pressing ahead with their probe.

Finnish officials have classified the case as aggravated criminal mischief.

Earlier, the Finnish Coast Guard intercepted and boarded the Russian Eagle S vessel within Finnish waters following suspicions of its involvement in an attack on the Estlink 2 undersea power cable.