NATO to boost military presence in Baltic after cables ‘sabotage’
By Raziye Akkoc AFP· 28 Dec, 2024
The Finnish Border Guard's ship Turva (front) and the oil tanker Eagle S on the sea near Porkkalanniemi. Image / poliisi.fi
NATO will bolster its military presence in the Baltic Sea after the suspected sabotage of an undersea power cable linking Finland and Estonia this week, the Western military alliance’s chief Mark Rutte said on Friday.On Christmas Day, the Estlink 2 submarine cable that carries electricity from Finland to Estonia was disconnected from the grid, just over a month after two telecommunications cables were severed in Swedish territorial waters in the Baltic.
Finnish authorities on Thursday said they were investigating the oil tanker, Eagle S, that sailed from a Russian port, as part of a probe for “aggravated sabotage”.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb said on Friday: “We’ve got the situation under control, and we have to continue to work together vigilantly to make sure that our critical infrastructure is not damaged by outsiders.”
Officials suspect the tanker is part of the Russian “shadow fleet”, which refers to ships that transport Russian crude and oil products embargoed because of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The Eagle S vessel, which flies under the flag of the Cook Islands in the South Pacific, was en route to Port Said in Egypt. Police suspect that the oil tanker’s anchor might have damaged the power cable.
Rutte said he spoke to President Stubb about Finland’s probe, adding in a post on X: “I expressed my full solidarity and support. Nato will enhance its military presence in the Baltic Sea.”
Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur earlier on Friday said on X that the country began naval patrols to protect the undersea cable supplying electricity from Finland.
In a separate statement, he said Tallinn wanted to send a clear message it was ready to protect its power connections with Finland with military and non-military means.
Rutte on Thursday promised Nato support to Estonia and Finland, and condemned attacks on critical infrastructure after speaking to Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal.
More EU sanctions
The European Union has also threatened further sanctions against Russia’s shadow fleet after this week’s incident.
The bloc’s 27 member states agreed earlier this month to blacklist around 50 more oil tankers from Russia’s shadow fleet used to circumvent Western sanctions, taking the number targeted to around 80.
Ukraine’s international backers have looked to curb funds going to the Kremlin’s war machine by imposing a price cap and restrictions on Russia’s key oil exports.
To skirt the measures, Russia has resorted to using a so-called “shadow fleet” of often ageing vessels that operate under dubious ownership or without proper insurance.
Tensions have mounted around the Baltic since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In September 2022, a series of underwater blasts ruptured the Nord Stream pipelines that carried Russian gas to Europe, the cause of which has yet to be determined.
In October 2023, an undersea gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia was shut down after it was damaged by the anchor of a Chinese cargo ship.
On November 17 and 18 this year, sections of two telecom cables were cut in Swedish territorial waters. Suspicions have been directed at the Yi Peng 3, which according to ship tracking sites had sailed over the cables around the time they were cut.
The Finnish Border Guard's ship Turva (front) and the oil tanker Eagle S on the sea near Porkkalanniemi. Image / poliisi.fi
NATO will bolster its military presence in the Baltic Sea after the suspected sabotage of an undersea power cable linking Finland and Estonia this week, the Western military alliance’s chief Mark Rutte said on Friday.
Finnish authorities on Thursday said they were investigating the oil tanker, Eagle S, that sailed from a Russian port, as part of a probe for “aggravated sabotage”.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb said on Friday: “We’ve got the situation under control, and we have to continue to work together vigilantly to make sure that our critical infrastructure is not damaged by outsiders.”
Officials suspect the tanker is part of the Russian “shadow fleet”, which refers to ships that transport Russian crude and oil products embargoed because of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The Eagle S vessel, which flies under the flag of the Cook Islands in the South Pacific, was en route to Port Said in Egypt. Police suspect that the oil tanker’s anchor might have damaged the power cable.
Rutte said he spoke to President Stubb about Finland’s probe, adding in a post on X: “I expressed my full solidarity and support. Nato will enhance its military presence in the Baltic Sea.”
Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur earlier on Friday said on X that the country began naval patrols to protect the undersea cable supplying electricity from Finland.
In a separate statement, he said Tallinn wanted to send a clear message it was ready to protect its power connections with Finland with military and non-military means.
Rutte on Thursday promised Nato support to Estonia and Finland, and condemned attacks on critical infrastructure after speaking to Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal.
More EU sanctions
The European Union has also threatened further sanctions against Russia’s shadow fleet after this week’s incident.
The bloc’s 27 member states agreed earlier this month to blacklist around 50 more oil tankers from Russia’s shadow fleet used to circumvent Western sanctions, taking the number targeted to around 80.
Ukraine’s international backers have looked to curb funds going to the Kremlin’s war machine by imposing a price cap and restrictions on Russia’s key oil exports.
To skirt the measures, Russia has resorted to using a so-called “shadow fleet” of often ageing vessels that operate under dubious ownership or without proper insurance.
Tensions have mounted around the Baltic since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In September 2022, a series of underwater blasts ruptured the Nord Stream pipelines that carried Russian gas to Europe, the cause of which has yet to be determined.
In October 2023, an undersea gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia was shut down after it was damaged by the anchor of a Chinese cargo ship.
On November 17 and 18 this year, sections of two telecom cables were cut in Swedish territorial waters. Suspicions have been directed at the Yi Peng 3, which according to ship tracking sites had sailed over the cables around the time they were cut.
Finnish Police Investigate Tanker as Report Says Spy Equipment Was Found
The Finnish police authorities provided a brief update on the ongoing investigation into the damage on Christmas Day to the power cable and several internet cables connecting Finland and Estonia. The Finnish Border Patrol is detaining the tanker Eagle S while investigators shuttle on to and off the vessel and begin an underwater investigation at the location of the damage.
“Although the initial investigation has been fast-paced, it is overall a demanding and time-consuming investigation,” said the general director of the investigation, Criminal Inspector Sami Paila. The Helsinki Police is leading the cooperation between the authorities reporting that the effort has continued around the clock for the past two days. The Finnish National Criminal Police is responsible for the elements of the investigation. It termed the investigation as “aggravated vandalism,” but declined to release specific details.
The vessel however is reported to be “loaded with spying equipment,” according to a report published by Lloyd’s List. Lloyds Intelligence is saying that hi-tech equipment was found which its sources termed “abnormal for a merchant ship.” The outlet says that it was told there are transmitting and receiving devices installed that turned the aging tanker into a “spy ship.” They believe the vessel was monitoring and recording transmissions from NATO ships and aircraft and placed sensors in the English Channel. They report there are Russian, Turkish, and Indian radio officers on the vessel.
The Finnish authorities confirmed that they had boarded the tanker which is being detained about nine miles offshore. Customs seized the fuel cargo aboard for an investigation reported Director of Supervision at Customs Hannu Sinkkonen. Customs is looking for an “aggravated regulatory offence.”
Police and investigators were moving on and off the tanker by helicopter (Finnish Police)
The police confirmed that “material has been collected” from the tanker Eagle S and that the analysis has begun. At the same time, they reported interviews have commenced with the crew which is reported to number approximately 20 individuals. Finnish media is saying the crew is from Georgia and India but said the police did not confirm the nationality of the vessel’s officers. Reports said no arrests or detention of the individual crew members have been made so far.
The Finnish Border Guard was taking the Finnish National Criminal Police to the site of the incident today, December 27, to begin seabed investigations. They said it would be assisting with the underwater investigation. They were reported at the site of the Estlink 2 power cable today.
“Conditions currently allow for full-scale operations in the Gulf of Finland,” said Commander Mikko Hirvi, Deputy Commander of the Gulf of Finland Coast Guard.
The Finnish news outlet Yle News published details of the investigation into the track of the Eagle S. They reported the vessel’s documents showed it departing Ust-Lugu in Russia and reporting a destination of Port Said, Egypt. On Christmas Day, December 25, at midday, the vessel made a “U-turn” back to Russia and proceeded about half a kilometer and then “hooked back” onto its original route about two hours after the first turn. Grid operator Fingrid reports the interruption on the power cable at 12:26 p.m. and the analysis shows the Eagle S was moving around the cables at that time.
About six hours later, the tanker was in the vicinity of the three data cables that were also damaged.
Pictures leaked on the Internet today showed the vessel missing its port side anchor.
The Finnish authorities said that they were satisfied the situation was under control and that the investigation would be proceeding. Several Baltic nations however reported that they have increased patrols with Finland and Estonia also reporting they agreed to make a request to NATO for additional support to protect the remaining power cable between the two countries.
Estonia reportedly experienced power supply problems shortly after the cable was damaged but the Prime Minister said today the power is stable and communications are functioning despite the damaged cables. Operator Fingrid however said in a statement that the repairs will take months and there is a risk of outages due to power shortages, especially during the peak winter months.
Baltic Countries Increase Infrastructure Patrols and Call for NATO Support
The nations of the Baltic region, including Estonia, Lithuania, Sweden, and Finland, all report they have launched new efforts to monitor and protect critical undersea infrastructure in response to the Christmas Day incident which damaged a key power cable between Finland and Estonia as well as internet connections. While the possibility of invoking the mutual protection clauses of the NATO Treaty was mentioned, the EU and NATO immediately said they would also move to increase protection of the critical infrastructure.
Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that the frequency of the incidents in the Baltic made it difficult to believe they were all caused by accidents or poor seamanship. In addition to this week’s damage to the power and internet cables, they highlighted last month’s severing of two telecom cables in Swedish waters which have been linked to a Chinese vessel. Last year, another Chinese vessel was suspected of damaging a gas pipeline running between Finland and Estonia, and the 2022 damage to the Nord Stream pipelines remains under investigation for sabotage.
The governments of Finland and Estonia each convened meetings and reported that their presidents had discussed the situation as Finland leads the investigation into this week’s damage to the cables. Prime Minister of Estonia Kristen Michal highlighted the close cooperation between the two countries noting Finland’s detention of the tanker Eagle S was the first time a suspect ship has been held.
Michal stressed while the investigation is underway, “the most important thing right now is to increase the level of protection of infrastructure at sea and on land.” The Prime Minister sought to reassure everyone saying that Estonia’s security of electricity and Finland-Estonia communication services are not at risk.
Estonia’s Minister of Defense Hanno Pevkur and Commander of the Defense Forces Major General Andrus Merilo announced on Friday, December 27, that the Estonia Navy has sent its patrol ship Raju into the Baltic to protect the Estlink 1 cable, a second but smaller 358 MW cable running between Estonia and Finland.
"The task of the Defence Forces is to repel military attacks against the Republic of Estonia. The Defence Forces are also ready to prevent attacks on our energy infrastructure at sea using non-military means and to organize military cooperation in ensuring maritime security," said Major General Andrus Merilo.
Swedish Coast Guard is increasing its monitoring using aircraft and vessels along with efforts by Estonia, Finland, and Luthiania (Swedish Coast Guard)
Lithuania also reported on Friday that its navy has increased surveillance and patrols in the Baltic. The Swedish Coast Guard said that it is cooperating closely with the Swedish Navy and other government agencies. Sweden said it will increase its presence for maritime surveillance with vessels and aircraft to protect critical undersea infrastructure.
News of the increased patrols came after the European Commission issued a statement on Thursday reporting, “We are strengthening efforts to protect undersea cables.” Among the efforts mentioned were enhanced information exchange, new detection technologies, and undersea repair capabilities.
Estonia’s Prime Minister Michal however issued a call on TV for reinforcements from NATO to act as a further deterrent. He said Estonia, if necessary, would invoke Article 4 of the NATO Treaty that provides for mutual support if any one nation feels threatened.
"We need to create a better picture, together with our allies, of what is happening with our critical infrastructure, both underwater and above water. It is not possible to protect every square kilometer all the time, because the perpetrators only need to succeed once, but the defenders need to succeed every time. The navy, together with various NATO allies, must take a more active stance in guarding and monitoring critical infrastructure," said Prime Minister Michal.
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy also said after its meeting that “Finland considers it important to increase NATO’s maritime presence in the Baltic Sea in order to secure underwater infrastructure.” Stubb told a news conference that Finland and Estonia had agreed to communicate to NATO a wish for a stronger presence.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reported that he had spoken with Finland’s president. Rutte posted a message on social media saying, “I expressed my full solidarity and support. NATO will enhance its military presence in the Baltic Sea.”
Estonia also reports it will seek new measures at the International Maritime Organization to strengthen the legal ramifications. The Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Foreign Affairs will lead the effort saying that with the allies, it must strive to ensure that the law of the sea also becomes more modern. “There must be a better way to stop these ships,” said Prime Minister Michal calling for ways to identify the perpetrators more quickly.
Finland has said it believes the tanker Eagle S which damaged the cables this week is part of Russia’s shadow fleet of tankers for the oil trade. Russia has remained silent on the matter saying it was a matter for the Western countries. Russian officials in the past denied involvement in any of the Baltic infrastructure incidents.
Estonia starts naval patrols to protect undersea cables
Finnish Police Carry Out Tactical Boarding of Suspected Sabotage Ship
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