A Russian-linked oil tanker, suspected of damaging undersea cables in the Baltic Sea, has been released from Finnish waters, where it had been detained since December, Finnish authorities confirmed.
The Eagle S, registered in the Cook Islands, was held on suspicion of dragging its anchor for several kilometers, causing damage to an electrical cable and four telecommunications cables on December 25.
Investigation and Release
The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) stated that while the investigation is ongoing, there is no longer a legal basis to keep the vessel detained.
“As the criminal investigation, including forensic examination on board, has progressed, there are no longer grounds for continuing the seizure of the tanker,” the NBI said in a statement.
The Swedish navy had previously discovered the anchor suspected of causing the damage in January.
Crew Members Under Suspicion
While the Eagle S has been permitted to leave, eight crew members remain under suspicion for their alleged involvement in the incident. Three of them are still barred from leaving Finland as the investigation continues.
Authorities expect to complete the probe by the end of April.
Suspicions of a Russian “Shadow Fleet”
Security analysts believe that Russia operates a “shadow fleet”—a network of hundreds of vessels that help evade Western sanctions on Russian oil exports amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Last year, several undersea Baltic cables were damaged, fueling concerns that Russia is engaged in “hybrid warfare”—a mix of cyberattacks, sabotage, and disinformation—against Western nations.
The incident comes as Sweden and Finland, both of which joined NATO after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, bolster their defense strategies. The military alliance has increased surveillance in the Baltic Sea in response to these threats.
Escort to International Waters
With its release, the Finnish coast guard will escort the Eagle S to international waters, marking the latest chapter in a growing geopolitical standoff between Russia and its neighboring NATO members.
Despite the tanker’s departure, the ongoing investigation could reveal further links between the alleged sabotage and Moscow’s broader strategy in the region.
