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Finnish authorities have detained the Eagle S, a Russia-linked oil tanker, for allegedly damaging undersea power and data cables in the Baltic Sea. The tanker, registered in the Cook Islands and owned by Caravella LLCFZ in the United Arab Emirates, was carrying oil from Russia to Egypt when the incident occurred on Christmas Day. The vessel is suspected to be part of Russia’s shadow fleet, a group of older, poorly maintained ships used to circumvent international sanctions on oil exports, further raising concerns about potential sabotage of critical infrastructure. Initial investigations indicate the ship's anchors are missing, and are thought to be the cause of the damage.

The Eagle S is under investigation for the damage to the Estlink 2 power cable connecting Finland and Estonia, as well as three other internet lines. This incident follows a series of similar events in the Baltic Sea, including damage to other subsea cables and pipelines. Officials, including Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, have expressed serious concern over the increasing frequency of these incidents, suggesting they may be deliberate attacks against vital structures. The Eagle S has been moved to Finnish territorial waters as the investigation continues into what is now being treated as suspected sabotage.

ImgSrc: cdn.mos.cms.fut

References :

• OODAloop: Finland probes Russian shadow fleet oil tanker after cable-cutting incident
• Splash247: Finland detains Russia-linked tanker after latest Baltic Sea cables incident
• www.tomshardware.com: Finnish authorities board tanker suspected of damaging undersea cables — tanker is reportedly linked to Russia’s shadow fleet
• kim_harding ?: Finland boards oil tanker suspected of causing internet, power cable outages ▪️Finland suspects ship of breaching power, telecom cables ▪️Coast Guard boards ship, takes it to Finnish waters ▪️Finland says vessel belongs to Russian shadow fleet ▪️Tanker is registered in Cook Islands
• bsky.app: russian ,"Shadow fleet" oil tanker, which is suspected of severing power and internet cables in the Baltic Sea, has been seized by Finnish authorities.
• Hacker News: Cable-cutting tanker seized by Finland 'was loaded with spying equipment'
• NPR Topics: World: Ship linked to Russia is suspected of cutting major cables between Finland and Estonia
• www.breitbart.com: Russian 'Dark Fleet' Cable-Cutter Ship Boarded in Baltic Loaded With Spying Equipment: Report
• www.lloydslist.com: Cable-cutting tanker seized by Finland 'was loaded with spying equipment'
• Breitbart News: Russian 'Dark Fleet' Cable-Cutter Ship Boarded in Baltic Loaded With Spying Equipment: Report
• www.tomshardware.com: Tom's Hardware article about Finnish investigators discovering anchor drag marks in undersea cable damage case.
• www.theguardian.com: Sixty-mile drag mark found near damaged Baltic Sea cable, says Finland
• Chuck Darwin: Sixty-mile drag mark found near damaged Baltic Sea cable, says Finland
• Tom's Hardware: Finnish investigators discover anchor drag marks of “almost a hundred kilometers” in undersea cable damage case — anchor is allegedly missing from detained tanker

Classification:

• HashTags: #UnderseaCables #RussianTanker #BalticSea
• Company: Finnish Authorities
• Target: Baltic Sea Infrastructure
• Attacker: Russia
• Product: Energy Infrastructure
• Feature: Undersea Cables
• Type: Hack
• Severity: Medium