Critical cables damaged in the Baltic Sea
On December 25, Finland reported major damage to several submarine cables, including the Estlink 2 power cable connecting Finland and Estonia. This cable, essential for the transmission of energy between the two countries, has a capacity of 650 MW and is mainly submerged in the Baltic Sea for a distance of 145 km.
Finnish authorities suspect a Russian tanker, l’Eagle Sflying the flag of the Cook Islands, to be involved. This ship was transporting fuel from St. Petersburg to Egypt when, according to investigators, it accidentally or intentionally damaged the cable with its anchor.
An investigation that highlights a Russian “ghost fleet”
The tanker was intercepted near the Finnish coast, at Porkkala, by the coast guard. During inspection, authorities found that the ship had lost its anchor, likely responsible for the cable cut. According to Sami Rähkönenhead of Finnish customs, this ship belongs to a so-called “ghost” Russian fleet, used to circumvent international sanctions imposed on Moscow.
The Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri Orporefrained from directly accusing Russia, but stressed that these ships “fuel the Russian military budget, thus prolonging the war in Ukraine”. On the 400 ships identified as belonging to this fleet, 79 are already under international sanctions.
Other submarine cables damaged
In addition to the Estlink 2 cable, three telecommunications cables were also damaged between Finland and Estonia. These cables, owned by Elisa Eesti, CITIC Telecom, and Cinia, are essential for regional and international connectivity. The fourth cable, the C-Lion1 linking Helsinki to Germany, was cut near Cape Porkkala.
According to Jarkko Saarimäkidirector of the Finnish Transport and Communications Authority, these cables are designed to withstand many external forces, making damage without human intervention highly unlikely.
A crisis that revives regional tensions
Regional ministers and experts, including the Estonian Interior Minister Lauri Läänemetsconsider this incident to be a deliberate attack. These events come against a backdrop of increased tensions between the Baltic countries and Russia, particularly due to the war in Ukraine and efforts by the Baltic states to disconnect from the Russian electricity grid and join that of Western Europe.
Consequences and next steps
Cable damage will likely affect electricity price in the region and will highlight the vulnerabilities of underwater critical infrastructure. Estlink 2 repairs, under the responsibility of the Finnish operator Fingridcould last until seven months.
Meanwhile, Finland and Estonia have stepped up their investigations to determine whether these acts amount to a gross negligence or a intentional sabotagewith major geopolitical implications.
A worrying precedent
This is not the first time that a ship has been suspected of being behind such incidents. By 2023, three more similar cases had been reported in the region, all involving ships without anchor. For Jarmo Lindbergformer head of the Finnish armed forces, these recurring incidents raise questions about the intentionality and security of critical underwater infrastructure.
As the investigation progresses, eyes remain on Moscow and the implications this sabotage could have on stability in Northern Europe.
