The Baltic Sea is once again the scene of tensions. Estonia has decided to send naval patrols near underwater energy infrastructure linking the country to Finland. This decision follows an incident on Wednesday involving the EstLink 2 cable, a crucial element of the regional electricity network. According to initial investigations, a suspicious tanker, the Eagle S, flying the flag of the Cook Islands, was the cause of the rupture.
Finnish authorities, in coordination with their Estonian counterparts, quickly boarded the Eagle S, identified as part of a “ghost fleet”. This term refers to ships suspected of opaque operations, often linked to Russian energy exports. Escorted by a Finnish patrol boat near Porkkala, around thirty kilometers from Helsinki, the tanker is now under investigation to determine its exact role in the incident.
A context of security tensions
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur announced that the national navy would be deployed around EstLink 1, another submarine cable connecting the two countries. This initiative aims to prevent any further potential damage and send a clear message about Estonia’s determination to protect its critical infrastructure.
“We are ready to defend our connections with Finland, even by military means if necessary,” the minister said. He also discussed measures to counter attacks using non-military methods, reflecting increased vigilance in the face of hybrid threats.
European and Atlantic support
Finland, for its part, has received significant support from the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Both entities expressed solidarity in the ongoing investigation, which has been described as potential sabotage. This type of incident, although serious, is not isolated. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, infrastructure in the Baltic Sea has regularly been the target of disruption, heightening concerns over regional energy security.
Protect strategic infrastructure
The EstLink network is essential for the electricity interconnection between the Baltics and Scandinavia, contributing to the stability and energy independence of the region. The incident highlights the growing challenges related to the security of critical infrastructure in a tense geopolitical context.
According to experts, protecting these underwater infrastructures requires joint efforts and considerable investments. Submarine cables, often perceived as invisible and invulnerable, are now at the center of the strategic concerns of many countries.
While the investigation into the precise causes of the incident continues, this event serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive measures to prevent and respond to emerging threats in sensitive areas such as the Baltic Sea.
