2024 Estlink 2 incident: Difference between revisions

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	{{Short description\|Failure of Estlink 2 cable}}		{{Short description\|Failure of Estlink 2 cable}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=December 2024}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=December 2024}}

	{{Ongoing event\|date=December 2024\|2=current maritime incident}}
			{{Use British English\|date=January 2025}}

	{{Infobox event		{{Infobox event
	\| date = 25 December		\| date = 25 December 2024
			\| time = 12.26
	\| image = Eagle S on the map of MarineTraffic, in relation to the Estlink 2 incident.png
			\| timezone = ]
	\| caption = ''Eagle S'' slowed down significantly while passing Estlink 2.
			\| image = {{multiple image
	\| Location = ], ]
			\| border = infobox
	\| cause = Under investigation
			\| total_width = 310
			\| perrow = 1/2
			\| direction = horizontal
			\| align = center
			\| caption_align = center
			\| image1 = Eagle S on the map of MarineTraffic, in relation to the Estlink 2 incident.png
			\| caption1 = '']'' slowed significantly while passing ].
			\| image2 = GfvKs 7XMAAXDft.jpeg
			\| caption2 = ''Eagle S''
			\| image3 = Patrol vessel Turva from air.jpg
			\| caption3 = Patrol vessel '']''
			}}
			\| Location = ], Baltic Sea
			\| type = maritime incident
			\| cause = Under investigation; suspected sabotage
			\| suspects = 7 crew members placed on ]s
	}}		}}
	On 25 December 2024 at 12:26 ], the ] submarine power cable had an unplanned failure, reducing the ]–] cross-border capacity from 1,016 ] to 358 MW.<ref name="NordPool UMM, 2024-12-26 Fingrid entry">{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-26 \|title=Unavailability of electricity facilities : Transmission \|url=https://umm.nordpoolgroup.com/#/messages/79210ee1-3395-4f75-a972-7b03888b107a/5 \|access-date=2024-12-26 \|website=Nord Pool — UMM Platform \|publisher=]}}</ref> The Finnish transmission system operator ] expects the failure to last until August 2025.<ref name="NordPool UMM, 2024-12-26 Fingrid entry" /> At the time of the outage, ] from Finland to Estonia at a rate of 658 MW. Concerns about potential sabotage rose due to recent outages in the ], although subsea cables are also prone to technical malfunctions and accidents. Finnish Prime Minister ] confirmed that authorities were investigating the incident.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=December 25, 2024 \|title=Finland investigates outage of undersea power link to Estonia, Finnish PM says \|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finland-investigates-outage-undersea-power-link-estonia-finnish-pm-says-2024-12-25/ \|website=Reuters}}</ref>

			On 25 December 2024 at 12:26 ], the ] submarine power cable had an unplanned failure, reducing the ]–] cross-border capacity from 1,016 to 358 MW. Concerns about potential sabotage immediately arose due to ] in the ].
	By early evening, the ]'s offshore patrol vessel '']'' was escorting the tanker {{ship\|\|Eagle S}}, registered to the ] and part of ] according to ],<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-07-18 \|title='High-risk' dark fleet tanker leaves ABS class as unscheduled survey into condition looms \|url=https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1149947/High-risk-dark-fleet-tanker-leaves-ABS-class-as-unscheduled-survey-into-condition-looms# \|access-date=2024-12-26 \|website=Lloyd's List}}</ref> to the ] peninsula.<ref>{{Cite web \|url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20133516 \|title=Estlink cable disruption: Finnish Border Guard detains tanker linked to Russia's 'dark fleet' \|date=26 December 2024 \|website=] \|access-date=27 December 2024}}</ref> ], head of the ] commented that the tanker is suspected of belonging to a shadow fleet. The anchors were not in place on the vessel, and at 00:28 on the 26th, the ] and the readiness unit of the {{ill\|Gulf of Finland Coast Guard District\|fi\|Suomenlahden merivartiosto}} boarded the ship using two helicopters provided by the ] and the Finnish Border Guard. The authorities were armed and prepared for resistance, but there was none and the authorities quickly took control of the vessel.<ref>{{Cite web \|url=https://www.hs.fi/suomi/art-2000010927044.html \|title=HS:n tiedot: Aseistautuneet valmiusjoukot lähetettiin keskellä yötä Eagle S -alukselle, kun syyttäjä pohti vielä terrorismia \|trans-title=HS's information: Armed readiness troops were sent to the Eagle S vessel in the middle of the night while the prosecutor was still considering terrorism \|last=Sajari \|first=Petri \|date=26 December 2024 \|website=] \|language=fi \|access-date=27 December 2024 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226164445/https://www.hs.fi/suomi/art-2000010927044.html \|archive-date=26 December 2024 \|url-status=live}}</ref> The authorities asked ''Eagle S'' to raise the anchor, but only the anchor chain rose to the surface. The police took possession of the ship.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-26 \|title=Ankkurit eivät olleet paikallaan \|trans-title=The anchors were not in place. \|url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20133526/64-3-253939?utm_medium=social&utm_source=copy-link-share \|access-date=2024-12-26 \|website=Yle Uutiset \|language=fi}}</ref>

			On the evening of the same day authorities were informed of disruptions to four ] with two cables belonging to the Finnish telecommunications company ] having been completely severed.<ref name="Yle Elisa"/><ref name="auto">{{Cite web\|url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20133606\|title=Maps reveal the path of the Eagle S on Christmas Day\|date=27 December 2024\|website=News}}</ref>
	The crew of 20–30<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Ylen erikoislähetys Estlink 2 -vauriosta kello 13.50 {{!}} Yle Uutiset suora {{!}} Yle Areena \|trans-title=Yle's special broadcast on the Estlink 2 damage at 1:50 p.m. {{!}} Yle News live {{!}} Yle Arena \|url=https://areena.yle.fi/1-72856366 \|access-date=2024-12-26 \|website=areena.yle.fi \|language=fi}}</ref> members are being investigated, but their nationalities have not been made public. According to Rakshit, the case is also being investigated for a serious ], i.e., evasion of ] following ].<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-26 \|title=Tulli: Alus kuuluu varjolaivastoon \|trans-title=Customs: The ship belongs to the shadow fleet \|url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20133526/64-3-253945?utm_medium=social&utm_source=copy-link-share \|access-date=2024-12-26 \|website=Yle Uutiset \|language=fi}}</ref>

			Finnish authorities are investigating the incident and suspect that the oil tanker '']'', believed to be part of the ], had intentionally caused the cable rupture by dragging its anchor. The ship is being suspected of aggravated vandalism, an aggravated regulatory offense and aggravated communication interference. Repairs are expected to take months and cost tens of millions of euros.
	By early morning on 26 December, ''Eagle S'' and ''Turva'' were still near Porkkalanniemi.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-26 \|title=Yle: Russian shadow fleet tanker in the area when Estlink 2 goes offline \|url=https://news.err.ee/1609560631/yle-russian-shadow-fleet-tanker-in-the-area-when-estlink-2-goes-offline \|access-date=2024-12-26 \|website=ERR}}</ref> The police confirmed that the tanker is suspected of having caused the failure and that the incident is being investigated as an act of ], with a flight ban of three kilometers instated around the area to support the preliminary investigation.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-26 \|title=Lentokielto tukee esitutkintaa \|trans-title=The flight ban supports the preliminary investigation \|url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20133526/64-3-253950?utm_medium=social&utm_source=copy-link-share \|access-date=2024-12-26 \|website=Yle Uutiset \|language=fi}}</ref> Chief of ] {{Interlanguage link\|Ilkka Koskimäki\|fi\|Ilkka Koskimäki}} said that there had not been any contact with Russia and there were no plans to do so.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-26 \|title=Poliisiylijohtaja: Venäjään ei olla yhteydessä \|trans-title=Police Chief: No contact with Russia \|url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20133526/64-3-253954?utm_medium=social&utm_source=copy-link-share \|access-date=2024-12-26 \|website=Yle Uutiset \|language=fi}}</ref>

			==Incident==
	On the evening of the 25th, authorities were also informed of disturbances in four ] leaving Finland, with two cables belonging to the Finnish telecommunications company ] being completely cut.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-26 \|title=Neljässä Suomesta lähtevässä tietoliikennekaapelissa häiriöitä – kaksi Elisan kaapelia on kokonaan poikki \|trans-title=Disturbances in four telecommunications cables leaving Finland – two Elisa cables are completely cut \|url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20133524 \|access-date=2024-12-26 \|website=Yle Uutiset \|language=fi}}</ref>
			On early morning 25 December 2024, the oil tanker '']'', officially under management of the company Peninsular Maritime India and with an Indian safety management certificate from September 2024, left the Russian port of ] with a load of ], which was, according to press research, destined for ], Turkey. (Other sources say ], Egypt.)<ref name="auto"/> The captain was a 39-year-old Georgian national, who had joined the crew in October.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Finland Suspects a Ship From the Russian Shadow Fleet of a New Cable Damage in the Baltic Sea. IStories Found Its Captain \|url=https://istories.media/en/news/2024/12/26/eagle-s/ \|access-date=27 December 2024 \|work=iStories \|date=27 December 2024 \|language=en}}</ref>

			On 25 December at 10:26 GMT, ''Eagle S'' crossed the ] submarine cable under the ]. At the same time, the Finnish electricity transmission grid operator ] reported a power outage on the cable.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Finland boards oil tanker suspected of causing internet, power cable outages \|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finland-police-investigate-role-foreign-ship-after-power-cable-outage-2024-12-26/ \|website=reuters.com \|access-date=26 December 2024 }}</ref>

			At 1:50 p.m. local time the ''Eagle S'' made a U-turn back towards Russia, approximately half-an-a-hour after having crossed over EST 2; she returned to her original course at approximately 2:20 p.m.<ref name="auto"/>

			== Seizure ==
			By early evening of 25 December, the ]'s offshore patrol vessel '']'' was escorting ''Eagle S'' to the ] peninsula.<ref name="Yle Estlink" /> The anchors were not in place on the vessel, and at 00:28 on the 26th, the ] and the Special Intervention Unit of the {{ill\|Gulf of Finland Coast Guard District\|fi\|Suomenlahden merivartiosto}} boarded the ship using two helicopters provided by the ] and the Finnish Border Guard. The authorities were armed and prepared for resistance, but there was none and the authorities quickly took control of the vessel.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Sajari \|first=Petri \|date=26 December 2024 \|title=HS:n tiedot: Aseistautuneet valmiusjoukot lähetettiin keskellä yötä Eagle S -alukselle, kun syyttäjä pohti vielä terrorismia \|trans-title=HS's information: Armed readiness troops were sent to the Eagle S vessel in the middle of the night while the prosecutor was still considering terrorism \|url=https://www.hs.fi/suomi/art-2000010927044.html \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226164445/https://www.hs.fi/suomi/art-2000010927044.html \|archive-date=26 December 2024 \|access-date=27 December 2024 \|website=] \|language=fi}}</ref> The authorities asked ''Eagle S'' to raise her anchor, but only the anchor chain rose to the surface. The police took the ship into their possession.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-26 \|title=Ankkurit eivät olleet paikallaan \|trans-title=The anchors were not in place. \|url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20133526/64-3-253939 \|access-date=2024-12-26 \|website=Yle Uutiset \|language=fi}}</ref>

			]

			On 27 December, ''Eagle S'' and ''Turva'' were still near Porkkalanniemi.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-26 \|title=Yle: Russian shadow fleet tanker in the area when Estlink 2 goes offline \|url=https://news.err.ee/1609560631/yle-russian-shadow-fleet-tanker-in-the-area-when-estlink-2-goes-offline \|access-date=2024-12-26 \|website=ERR}}</ref> On the morning of 28 December, ''Turva'' left ''Eagle S'' and the Finnish tugboat {{ILL\|M/S Ukko\|fi}} arrived. According to the police, the ship will be moved to the ], near the ] in ]. Flight bans have been instated to the route and Svartbäck. The tugboat is a few hundred meters away from the tanker, monitoring the situation.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-27 \|title=Estlink 2 {{!}} Eagle S siirretään Porvooseen – Paikalla oleva HS:n toimittaja: Alus liikkeellä \|trans-title=Eagle S is being transferred to Porvoo – HS reporter: The ship is about to set sail \|url=https://www.hs.fi/suomi/art-2000010928071.html \|access-date=2024-12-28 \|website=Helsingin Sanomat \|language=fi}}</ref> Before 17:00 it was reported that the transfer had gone according to plan.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-28 \|title=Poliisi: Eagle S:n siirto sujui suunnitelmien mukaisesti \|trans-title=Police: The transfer of Eagle S went according to plan \|url=https://www.hs.fi/suomi/art-2000010928071.html?post=364119 \|access-date=2024-12-29 \|website=Helsingin Sanomat \|language=fi}}</ref>

			On 30 December, an application was filed to the {{Interlanguage link\|Helsinki District Court\|fi\|Helsingin käräjäoikeus\|lt=}}, in which the ''Eagle S'''s shipping company, ], seeks to overturn the seizure by the Finnish authorities. Lawyer Herman Ljungberg, representing the entire crew of the ship, strongly criticised the actions of the authorities to ''Helsingin Sanomat'' based on his conversation with the ship's captain. Ljungberg claims that, according to the captain, the situation is stressful and the crew is starving.{{efn\|''Nähdä nälkää'', literally "see hunger"}} He said that "the crew has been interrogated without legal assistance, kept hungry and in one room, and not allowed to sleep”.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-30 \|title=Eagle S {{!}} Varustamon asianajaja arvostelee viranomaisia kovin sanoin – HS sai miehistön jäsenen Intiaan lähettämän avunpyynnön \|trans-title=Eagle S {{!}} The shipping company's lawyer criticizes the authorities in strong words - HS received a request for help sent to India by a crew member \|url=https://www.hs.fi/suomi/art-2000010932528.html \|url-access=subscription \|access-date=2024-12-30 \|website=Helsingin Sanomat \|language=fi}}</ref> The allegations have been denied by the police.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-30 \|title=Eagle S:n asianajaja kritisoi voimakkaasti Suomen viranomaisia – poliisi kiistää: "Kyllä siellä on syödä ja juoda voinut" \|trans-title=Eagle S's lawyer strongly criticizes Finnish authorities - police deny: "Yes, it was possible to eat and drink there" \|url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20134041 \|access-date=2024-12-30 \|website=Yle Uutiset \|language=fi}}</ref>

			== Investigation ==
			''Eagle S'', registered in the ], was not on the list of 79 ships sanctioned by the EU at the time of the incident; <ref>{{Citation \|title=Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/3187 of 16 December 2024 amending Decision 2014/512/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine \|date=2024-12-16 \|url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202403187 \|access-date=2024-12-28 \|language=en}}</ref> it was however believed to be part of the ].<ref name="Lloyd's List"/> It is now under investigation,<ref name="Yle Estlink"/><ref name="DW"/> with Finnish authorities suspecting that her anchor was the cause of the cable's rupture.<ref name="DW"/>

			The ship's crew of 24<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-31 \|title=Tämä tiedetään {{!}} Seitsemän Eagle S -aluksen miehistön jäsentä määrätty matkustuskieltoon, kertoo krp \|url=https://www.hs.fi/suomi/art-2000010934982.html \|access-date=2025-01-01 \|website=Helsingin Sanomat \|language=fi}}</ref>, comprises ] and Indian nationals.<ref>{{Cite web \|url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/5ebcd428-8ca1-4685-b9f0-0dd55e9a2b1c \|title=Poliisi: Eagle S:n miehistö on hämmentynyt – Kansalaisuudet selvisivät \|trans-title=Police: The crew of Eagle S is confused – Nationalities have been revealed \|last=Karvinen \|first=Eevi \|date=27 December 2024 \|website=] \|language=fi \|access-date=27 December 2024}}</ref> The nationality of her officers has not been announced. According to {{ill\|Sami Paila\|fi}}, Head of Investigation at the ] (NBI), some of the crew are suspects and some are witnesses, and no arrests have been made.<ref name="auto"/> According to {{ill\|Sami Rakshit\|fi}} head of the ], the case is also being investigated for a serious ] of evasion of ] following ], as the vessel was carrying 35,000 tons of ].<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-26 \|title=Tulli: Alus kuuluu varjolaivastoon \|trans-title=Customs: The ship belongs to the shadow fleet \|url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20133526/64-3-253945 \|access-date=2024-12-26 \|website=Yle Uutiset \|language=fi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|url=https://www.hs.fi/suomi/art-2000010927842.html \|title=Eagle S lähti Venäjältä varhain joulupäivänä, ylitti Estlink 2 -kaapelin ja teki kiepin – video näyttää aluksen reitin \|trans-title=Eagle S departed from Russia early on Christmas Day, crossed the Estlink 2 cable, and made a loop – the video shows the ship's route \|last=Kallionpää \|first=Katri \|date=27 December 2024 \|website=] \|language=fi \|access-date=27 December 2024 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227132130/https://www.hs.fi/suomi/art-2000010927842.html \|archive-date=27 December 2024 \|url-status=live}}</ref> Furthermore, investigators found no valid insurance for the ship at the time of incident in the ], with her last policy, with ], having expired in August 2024.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Finland police seize Russian-linked dark fleet tanker Eagle S in cable-cutting investigation \|url=https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1151950/Finland-police-seize-Russian-linked-dark-fleet-tanker-Eagle-S-in-cable-cutting-investigation \|access-date=27 December 2024 \|work=lloydslist.com \|date=26 December 2024 \|language=en}}</ref>

			The police confirmed that the tanker is suspected of having caused the failure and that the incident is being investigated as an act of ], with a flight ban of three kilometers instated around the area to support the preliminary investigation.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-26 \|title=Lentokielto tukee esitutkintaa \|trans-title=The flight ban supports the preliminary investigation \|url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20133526/64-3-253950 \|access-date=2024-12-26 \|website=Yle Uutiset \|language=fi}}</ref> Chief of ] {{Interlanguage link\|Ilkka Koskimäki\|fi}} said that there had not been any contact with Russia and there were no plans to do so.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-26 \|title=Poliisiylijohtaja: Venäjään ei olla yhteydessä \|trans-title=Police Chief: No contact with Russia \|url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20133526/64-3-253954 \|access-date=2024-12-26 \|website=Yle Uutiset \|language=fi}}</ref>

			On 29 December, the ] reported that investigations are continuing, but adverse weather conditions at the anchorage have slowed down operations. A technical investigation and crew interrogations are still underway. Criminal inspector ] from the NBI said that "underwater investigations have so far mapped the drag track on the seabed from start to finish. The track is several tens of kilometers long. So far, the possible point where the anchor came loose has not been confirmed".<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-29 \|title=Keskusrikospoliisi jatkaa kaapelivaurioiden tutkintaa \|trans-title=The Finnish National Criminal Police continues to investigate the cable damage. \|url=https://poliisi.fi/-/keskusrikospoliisi-jatkaa-kaapelivaurioiden-tutkintaa \|access-date=2024-12-29 \|website=Poliisi \|language=fi-FI}}</ref> The third criminal offence on the case is aggravated {{Interlanguage link\|Communication interference\|fi\|Tietoliikenteen häirintä\|lt=communication interference}}.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-29 \|title=KRP Ylelle: Ankkurin raahausjälki voi olla jopa sata kilometriä – uutena rikosnimikkeenä törkeä tietoliikenteen häirintä \|trans-title=KRP to Yle: Anchor drag can be up to a hundred kilometers - new criminal offense: aggravated interference with telecommunications \|url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20133881 \|access-date=2024-12-30 \|website=Yle Uutiset \|language=fi}}</ref>

			On 31 December, the NBI placed seven crew members suspected of crime to a ] - a "less severe measure of restraint than arrest and detention, imposed because the police have an interest in securing the preliminary investigation and ensuring that the parties involved remain reachable during the investigation".<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Vedenalaiset tutkimukset ovat jälleen käynnistyneet Suomenlahdella \|url=https://poliisi.fi/-/vedenalaiset-tutkimukset-ovat-jalleen-kaynnistyneet-suomenlahdella?gsid=316da27e-4be8-4acd-ad16-f7d6cdd9845d \|access-date=2025-01-01 \|website=Poliisi \|language=fi-FI}}</ref>

			=== Alleged spying equipment ===
			On 27 December, ] reported that in June, they received over 60 documents about ''Eagle S'' from a source that wishes to remain anonymous. The source has since provided additional information, claiming that an unauthorised person has been identified on board, "listening and recording equipment was brought on to the 20-year-old tanker via 'huge portable suitcases'" and that "the transmitting and receiving devices were used to record all radio frequencies, and upon reaching Russia were offloaded for analysis".<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-27 \|title=Russia-linked cable-cutting tanker seized by Finland ‘was loaded with spying equipment’ \|url=https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1151955/Russia-linked-cable-cutting-tanker-seized-by-Finland-was-loaded-with-spying-equipment \|access-date=2025-01-01 \|website=Lloyd's List}}</ref>

			Author and historian ] considered the allegations about intelligence systems to be possible, though he pointed that ships built for signals intelligence often have ] on their decks that look like large golf balls and are easily noticeable, instead of suircases.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-28 \|title=Kaapelivaurio {{!}} Asiantuntijat kommentoivat Eagle S:n vakoiluväitteitä: Tavallinen miehistö ei olisi osannut käyttää laitteita \|url=https://www.hs.fi/maailma/art-2000010930225.html \|access-date=2025-01-01 \|website=Helsingin Sanomat \|language=fi}}</ref>

			The NBI denied that equipment described by Lloyd's List were on board.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Näin poliisi kommentoi hurjaa lehtiväitettä Eagle S:n laitteista \|url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/kotimaa/a/3fa30bba-6925-49ac-8c49-ce191ce0ab00?gsid=316da27e-4be8-4acd-ad16-f7d6cdd9845d \|access-date=2025-01-01 \|website=www.iltalehti.fi \|language=fi}}</ref>

			== Impact ==
			The ]–] cross-border capacity was reduced from 1,016 ] to 358 MW.<ref name="NordPool UMM, 2024-12-26 Fingrid entry" /> Because electricity was flowing from Finland to Estonia at the time of the sabotage, and Estonia is a smaller country, electricity prices are expected to decrease slightly in Finland and rise significantly in Estonia.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-27 \|title=Electricity in Finland may even become cheaper due to suspected cable sabotage \|url=https://www.hs.fi/talous/art-2000010927563.html \|access-date=2024-12-27 \|website=Helsingin Sanomat \|language=fi}}</ref> ] is prepared to increase the prices of ].<ref>{{Cite web \|last=ERR \|first=ERR {{!}} \|date=2024-12-28 \|title=Eesti Energia preparing to raise fixed electricity package prices \|url=https://news.err.ee/1609561559/eesti-energia-preparing-to-raise-fixed-electricity-package-prices \|access-date=2024-12-29 \|website=ERR \|language=en}}</ref>

			The failure is expected to last 7 months and cost tens of millions of euros.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Estlink 2 -kaapelin korjaustyöt tulevat maksamaan kymmeniä miljoonia \|trans-title=Estlink 2 cable repair work will cost tens of millions \|url=https://www.mtvuutiset.fi/artikkeli/estlink-2-kaapelin-korjaustyot-tulevat-maksamaan-kymmenia-miljoonia/9074298 \|access-date=2024-12-29 \|website=mtvuutiset.fi \|language=fi}}</ref>

			== Reactions ==
			]

			=== Estonia ===
			Estonia's president ] said on X that "repeated damage to Baltic Sea infrastructure signals a systemic threat, not mere accidents."<ref>{{Cite tweet \|number=1872315778449727945 \|user=AlarKaris \|title=Repeated damage to Baltic Sea infrastructure signals a systemic threat, not mere accidents. #Estonia will take action to counter this threat, together with #Finland and other #NATO allies. \|first=Alar \|last=Karis \|date=26 December 2024 \|access-date=27 December 2024}}</ref> Prime minister ] said at a news conference that the shadow tankers "are helping Russia to earn funds that will aid Russian hybrid attacks,<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-27 \|title=EU preparing sanctions on Russia's 'shadow fleet' after cable damage \|url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/12/27/eu-preparing-sanctions-on-russias-shadow-fleet-after-baltic-sea-cable-damaged \|access-date=2024-12-27 \|website=euronews \|language=en}}</ref> and Defence Minister ] announced on ] that the patrol ship '']'' had set sail on Tuesday (24 December) to protect Estlink 1.<ref>{{Cite web \|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1elq7lx9qdo \|title=Estonia navy to protect undersea power link after main cable damaged \|website=BBC \|date=27 December 2024 \|access-date=28 December 2024}}</ref>

			=== Finland ===
			Professor of criminal law {{ill\|Sakari Melander\|fi\|}} told '']'', that "here it seems justified to consider the use of coercive measures. Arrest and imprisonment may be an option." {{ill\|Matti Tolvanen\|fi\|}}, professor emeritus of criminal and procedural law, said that if the ship is allowed to leave, there is little chance of the matter being taken to court or even investigated.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-27 \|title=Estlink 2 {{!}} Eagle S -aluksen vastuuhenkilöt saattavat joutua Suomessa viranomaisten huomaan: "Mitään diplomaattista suojaa ei ole" \|trans-title=Estlink 2 {{!}} Those responsible for the Eagle S ship may come to the attention of authorities in Finland: "There is no diplomatic protection" \|url=https://www.hs.fi/suomi/art-2000010927788.html \|access-date=2024-12-27 \|website=Helsingin Sanomat \|language=fi}}</ref> A prosecutor has been assigned to handle the case.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-26 \|title=Telekaapelit ovat jykevämpiä \|trans-title=Telecom cables are sturdier \|url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20133526/64-3-253948?utm_medium=social&utm_source=copy-link-share \|access-date=2024-12-27 \|website=Yle Uutiset \|language=fi \|quote=Asialle on myös nimetty syyttäjä.}}</ref>

			=== European Union and NATO ===
			], the ], stated that the incident was "the latest in a series of suspected attacks on critical infrastructure" and thanked Finnish authorities "for their swift action in boarding the suspected vessel".<ref>{{Cite news \|title=Finland detains Russia-linked vessel over damaged undersea power cable in Baltic Sea \|url=https://www.npr.org/2024/12/27/g-s1-40114/finland-russia-vessel-undersea-cables \|work=] \|date=27 December 2024 \|access-date=28 December 2024}}</ref>

			], the secretary general of ], discussed the incident with Finnish president ] and stated that NATO intends to increase its military presence in the Baltic Sea as a result of the incident.<ref>{{Cite web \|url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/ulkomaat/a/bcc211ed-ab04-4e14-a64f-a0257ee4943b \|title=Rutte: Nato lisää sotilaallista läsnäoloaan Itämerellä \|trans-title=Rutte: NATO increases its military presence in the Baltic Sea \|last=Stenvall \|first=Niko \|date=27 December 2024 \|website=] \|language=fi \|access-date=27 December 2024}}</ref>

			=== Russia ===
			The ] did not comment on the issue. "I can't say anything for sure, it's a very narrow-profile question, which is hardly the prerogative of the presidential administration," Kremlin spokesman ] said when asked by a ] journalist to comment on the actions of the Finnish authorities.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=В Кремле не комментируют вопрос задержания Финляндией нефтяного танкера \|trans-title=The Kremlin has not commented on the issue of Finland's detention of an oil tanker \|url=https://tass.ru/politika/22786831?gsid=72a5cea9-6169-4643-8716-3efaa04fb57d \|access-date=2024-12-27 \|website=TACC \|language=ru}}</ref>

			=== New Zealand ===
			On 28 December 2024, New Zealand's ] (MFAT) issued a statement that New Zealand was not responsible for the Cook Islands-registered ''Eagle S''. The Cook Islands is an ] of New Zealand; managing its own internal affairs while New Zealand manages its foreign affairs, disasters relief and defence. MFAT also stated that the New Zealand government had raised concerns with the Cook Islands government about its shipping registry being used to help Russia's shadow fleet circumvent international sanctions and aid its war on Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news \|title=New Zealand not responsible for ship seized by Finland - MFAT \|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/537735/new-zealand-not-responsible-for-ship-seized-by-finland-mfat \|access-date=28 December 2024 \|work=] \|date=28 December 2024 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228091242/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/537735/new-zealand-not-responsible-for-ship-seized-by-finland-mfat \|archive-date=28 December 2024}}</ref> Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, New Zealand had imposed sanctions on Russia.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Russia invasion of Ukraine: Parliament passes Russia Sanctions Act unanimously \|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/russia-invasion-of-ukraine-parliament-passes-russia-sanctions-act-unanimously/SGMIYENM6FUCGOXRWQYH2FILBM/ \|access-date=28 December 2024\|work=] \|date=9 March 2022 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309100539/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/russia-invasion-of-ukraine-parliament-passes-russia-sanctions-act-unanimously/SGMIYENM6FUCGOXRWQYH2FILBM/ \|archive-date=9 March 2022\|url-status=live}}</ref> In late November 2024, Australia and New Zealand had endorsed a joint Call to Action against Russian and North Korean shadow fleet activity.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Joint Statement from Australia and New Zealand \|url=https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/media-and-resources/joint-statement-from-australia-and-new-zealand \|publisher=] \|access-date=28 December 2024 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228040721/https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/media-and-resources/joint-statement-from-australia-and-new-zealand \|archive-date=28 December 2024 \|date=28 November 2024\|url-status=live}}</ref>

			On 29 December, ] law professor ] expressed concern that the alleged ship sabotage incident would create a "bad look" for New Zealand due to the association between the Cook Islands and New Zealand.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Seizure of Cook Islands-registered ship over alleged sabotage 'creates a bad look' for NZ - expert \|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/537768/seizure-of-cook-islands-registered-ship-over-alleged-sabotage-creates-a-bad-look-for-nz-expert \|access-date=31 December 2024 \|work=] \|date=29 December 2024 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241230063852/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/537768/seizure-of-cook-islands-registered-ship-over-alleged-sabotage-creates-a-bad-look-for-nz-expert \|archive-date=30 December 2024\|url-status=live}}</ref>

			== Notes ==

			{{notelist}}

	== See also ==		== See also ==
	*]		* ]
	*{{Section link\|Balticconnector\|2023 damage incident}} ~~– a~~ natural gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia ~~that was~~ damaged a year earlier		* {{Section link\|Balticconnector\|2023 damage incident}} — natural gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia damaged a year earlier

	== References ==		== References ==
	{{~~Reflist~~}}		{{div col}}
			{{Reflist\|refs=
			<ref name="NordPool UMM, 2024-12-26 Fingrid entry">{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-26 \|title=Unavailability of electricity facilities : Transmission \|url=https://umm.nordpoolgroup.com/#/messages/79210ee1-3395-4f75-a972-7b03888b107a/5 \|access-date=2024-12-26 \|website=Nord Pool — UMM Platform \|publisher=]}}</ref>
			<!--<ref name="Reuters">{{Cite web \|date=25 December 2024 \|title=Finland investigates outage of undersea power link to Estonia, Finnish PM says \|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finland-investigates-outage-undersea-power-link-estonia-finnish-pm-says-2024-12-25/ \|website=Reuters}}</ref>-->
			<ref name="Yle Elisa">{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-26 \|title=Neljässä Suomesta lähtevässä tietoliikennekaapelissa häiriöitä – kaksi Elisan kaapelia on kokonaan poikki \|trans-title=Disturbances in four telecommunications cables leaving Finland – two Elisa cables are completely cut \|url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20133524 \|access-date=2024-12-26 \|website=Yle Uutiset \|language=fi}}</ref>
			<ref name="Lloyd's List">{{Cite web \|date=2024-07-18 \|title='High-risk' dark fleet tanker leaves ABS class as unscheduled survey into condition looms \|url=https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1149947/High-risk-dark-fleet-tanker-leaves-ABS-class-as-unscheduled-survey-into-condition-looms# \|access-date=2024-12-26 \|website=Lloyd's List}}</ref>
			<ref name="DW">{{Cite web \|date=26 December 2024 \|title=Finland probes Russia-linked oil tanker over undersea outage \|url=https://www.dw.com/en/finland-probes-russia-linked-oil-tanker-over-undersea-outage/a-71163783 \|website=DW \|language=en}}</ref>
			<ref name="Yle Estlink">{{Cite web \|url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20133516 \|title=Estlink cable disruption: Finnish Border Guard detains tanker linked to Russia's 'dark fleet' \|date=26 December 2024 \|website=] \|access-date=27 December 2024}}</ref>
			}}
			{{div col end}}

	== External links ==		== External links ==
	* on ]		*
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Latest revision as of 11:02, 1 January 2025

Failure of Estlink 2 cable

2024 Estlink 2 incident
Eagle S slowed significantly while passing Estlink 2.Eagle SPatrol vessel Turva
Date	25 December 2024
Time	12.26 (Eastern European Time)
Location	Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea
Type	maritime incident
Cause	Under investigation; suspected sabotage
Suspects	7 crew members placed on travel bans

On 25 December 2024 at 12:26 EET, the Estlink 2 submarine power cable had an unplanned failure, reducing the Estonia–Finland cross-border capacity from 1,016 to 358 MW. Concerns about potential sabotage immediately arose due to other recent outages in the Baltic Sea region.

On the evening of the same day authorities were informed of disruptions to four telecommunications cables with two cables belonging to the Finnish telecommunications company Elisa having been completely severed.

Finnish authorities are investigating the incident and suspect that the oil tanker Eagle S, believed to be part of the Russian shadow fleet, had intentionally caused the cable rupture by dragging its anchor. The ship is being suspected of aggravated vandalism, an aggravated regulatory offense and aggravated communication interference. Repairs are expected to take months and cost tens of millions of euros.

Incident

On early morning 25 December 2024, the oil tanker Eagle S, officially under management of the company Peninsular Maritime India and with an Indian safety management certificate from September 2024, left the Russian port of Ust-Luga with a load of unleaded gasoline, which was, according to press research, destined for Aliağa, Turkey. (Other sources say Port Said, Egypt.) The captain was a 39-year-old Georgian national, who had joined the crew in October.

On 25 December at 10:26 GMT, Eagle S crossed the Estlink 2 submarine cable under the Gulf of Finland. At the same time, the Finnish electricity transmission grid operator Fingrid reported a power outage on the cable.

At 1:50 p.m. local time the Eagle S made a U-turn back towards Russia, approximately half-an-a-hour after having crossed over EST 2; she returned to her original course at approximately 2:20 p.m.

Seizure

By early evening of 25 December, the Finnish Border Guard's offshore patrol vessel Turva was escorting Eagle S to the Porkkalanniemi peninsula. The anchors were not in place on the vessel, and at 00:28 on the 26th, the Police Rapid Response Unit Karhu and the Special Intervention Unit of the Gulf of Finland Coast Guard District [fi] boarded the ship using two helicopters provided by the Finnish Defence Forces and the Finnish Border Guard. The authorities were armed and prepared for resistance, but there was none and the authorities quickly took control of the vessel. The authorities asked Eagle S to raise her anchor, but only the anchor chain rose to the surface. The police took the ship into their possession.

On 27 December, Eagle S and Turva were still near Porkkalanniemi. On the morning of 28 December, Turva left Eagle S and the Finnish tugboat M/S Ukko [fi] arrived. According to the police, the ship will be moved to the Svartbäck inner anchorage, near the Port of Kilpilahti in Porvoo. Flight bans have been instated to the route and Svartbäck. The tugboat is a few hundred meters away from the tanker, monitoring the situation. Before 17:00 it was reported that the transfer had gone according to plan.

On 30 December, an application was filed to the Helsinki District Court [fi], in which the Eagle S's shipping company, Caravella, seeks to overturn the seizure by the Finnish authorities. Lawyer Herman Ljungberg, representing the entire crew of the ship, strongly criticised the actions of the authorities to Helsingin Sanomat based on his conversation with the ship's captain. Ljungberg claims that, according to the captain, the situation is stressful and the crew is starving. He said that "the crew has been interrogated without legal assistance, kept hungry and in one room, and not allowed to sleep”. The allegations have been denied by the police.

Investigation

Eagle S, registered in the Cook Islands, was not on the list of 79 ships sanctioned by the EU at the time of the incident; it was however believed to be part of the Russian shadow fleet. It is now under investigation, with Finnish authorities suspecting that her anchor was the cause of the cable's rupture.

The ship's crew of 24, comprises Georgian and Indian nationals. The nationality of her officers has not been announced. According to Sami Paila [fi], Head of Investigation at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), some of the crew are suspects and some are witnesses, and no arrests have been made. According to Sami Rakshit [fi] head of the Finnish Customs, the case is also being investigated for a serious regulatory offense of evasion of sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, as the vessel was carrying 35,000 tons of unleaded gasoline. Furthermore, investigators found no valid insurance for the ship at the time of incident in the Indian Register of Shipping, with her last policy, with Ingosstrakh, having expired in August 2024.

The police confirmed that the tanker is suspected of having caused the failure and that the incident is being investigated as an act of gross vandalism, with a flight ban of three kilometers instated around the area to support the preliminary investigation. Chief of Police of Finland Ilkka Koskimäki [fi] said that there had not been any contact with Russia and there were no plans to do so.

On 29 December, the Helsinki Police Department reported that investigations are continuing, but adverse weather conditions at the anchorage have slowed down operations. A technical investigation and crew interrogations are still underway. Criminal inspector Sami Paila from the NBI said that "underwater investigations have so far mapped the drag track on the seabed from start to finish. The track is several tens of kilometers long. So far, the possible point where the anchor came loose has not been confirmed". The third criminal offence on the case is aggravated communication interference [fi].

On 31 December, the NBI placed seven crew members suspected of crime to a travel ban - a "less severe measure of restraint than arrest and detention, imposed because the police have an interest in securing the preliminary investigation and ensuring that the parties involved remain reachable during the investigation".

Alleged spying equipment

On 27 December, Lloyd's List reported that in June, they received over 60 documents about Eagle S from a source that wishes to remain anonymous. The source has since provided additional information, claiming that an unauthorised person has been identified on board, "listening and recording equipment was brought on to the 20-year-old tanker via 'huge portable suitcases'" and that "the transmitting and receiving devices were used to record all radio frequencies, and upon reaching Russia were offloaded for analysis".

Author and historian Mikko Porvali considered the allegations about intelligence systems to be possible, though he pointed that ships built for signals intelligence often have satellite antennas on their decks that look like large golf balls and are easily noticeable, instead of suircases.

The NBI denied that equipment described by Lloyd's List were on board.

Impact

The Estonia–Finland cross-border capacity was reduced from 1,016 MW to 358 MW. Because electricity was flowing from Finland to Estonia at the time of the sabotage, and Estonia is a smaller country, electricity prices are expected to decrease slightly in Finland and rise significantly in Estonia. Eesti Energia is prepared to increase the prices of fixed electricity packages.

The failure is expected to last 7 months and cost tens of millions of euros.

Reactions

Estonia

Estonia's president Alar Karis said on X that "repeated damage to Baltic Sea infrastructure signals a systemic threat, not mere accidents." Prime minister Kristen Michal said at a news conference that the shadow tankers "are helping Russia to earn funds that will aid Russian hybrid attacks, and Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur announced on public radio that the patrol ship Raju had set sail on Tuesday (24 December) to protect Estlink 1.

Finland

Professor of criminal law Sakari Melander [fi] told Helsingin Sanomat, that "here it seems justified to consider the use of coercive measures. Arrest and imprisonment may be an option." Matti Tolvanen [fi], professor emeritus of criminal and procedural law, said that if the ship is allowed to leave, there is little chance of the matter being taken to court or even investigated. A prosecutor has been assigned to handle the case.

European Union and NATO

Kaja Kallas, the foreign EU minister, stated that the incident was "the latest in a series of suspected attacks on critical infrastructure" and thanked Finnish authorities "for their swift action in boarding the suspected vessel".

Mark Rutte, the secretary general of NATO, discussed the incident with Finnish president Alexander Stubb and stated that NATO intends to increase its military presence in the Baltic Sea as a result of the incident.

Russia

The Kremlin did not comment on the issue. "I can't say anything for sure, it's a very narrow-profile question, which is hardly the prerogative of the presidential administration," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said when asked by a Reuters journalist to comment on the actions of the Finnish authorities.

New Zealand

On 28 December 2024, New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) issued a statement that New Zealand was not responsible for the Cook Islands-registered Eagle S. The Cook Islands is an associated state of New Zealand; managing its own internal affairs while New Zealand manages its foreign affairs, disasters relief and defence. MFAT also stated that the New Zealand government had raised concerns with the Cook Islands government about its shipping registry being used to help Russia's shadow fleet circumvent international sanctions and aid its war on Ukraine. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, New Zealand had imposed sanctions on Russia. In late November 2024, Australia and New Zealand had endorsed a joint Call to Action against Russian and North Korean shadow fleet activity.

On 29 December, University of Waikato law professor Al Gillespie expressed concern that the alleged ship sabotage incident would create a "bad look" for New Zealand due to the association between the Cook Islands and New Zealand.

Notes

Nähdä nälkää, literally "see hunger"

References

"Neljässä Suomesta lähtevässä tietoliikennekaapelissa häiriöitä – kaksi Elisan kaapelia on kokonaan poikki" [Disturbances in four telecommunications cables leaving Finland – two Elisa cables are completely cut]. Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). 26 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
^ "Maps reveal the path of the Eagle S on Christmas Day". News. 27 December 2024.
"Finland Suspects a Ship From the Russian Shadow Fleet of a New Cable Damage in the Baltic Sea. IStories Found Its Captain". iStories. 27 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
"Finland boards oil tanker suspected of causing internet, power cable outages". reuters.com. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
^ "Estlink cable disruption: Finnish Border Guard detains tanker linked to Russia's 'dark fleet'". Yle News. 26 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
Sajari, Petri (26 December 2024). "HS:n tiedot: Aseistautuneet valmiusjoukot lähetettiin keskellä yötä Eagle S -alukselle, kun syyttäjä pohti vielä terrorismia" [HS's information: Armed readiness troops were sent to the Eagle S vessel in the middle of the night while the prosecutor was still considering terrorism]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
"Ankkurit eivät olleet paikallaan" [The anchors were not in place.]. Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). 26 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
"Flyk". flyk.com (in Finnish). Retrieved 28 December 2024.
"Yle: Russian shadow fleet tanker in the area when Estlink 2 goes offline". ERR. 26 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
"Estlink 2 | Eagle S siirretään Porvooseen – Paikalla oleva HS:n toimittaja: Alus liikkeellä" [Eagle S is being transferred to Porvoo – HS reporter: The ship is about to set sail]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 27 December 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
"Poliisi: Eagle S:n siirto sujui suunnitelmien mukaisesti" [Police: The transfer of Eagle S went according to plan]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 28 December 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
"Eagle S | Varustamon asianajaja arvostelee viranomaisia kovin sanoin – HS sai miehistön jäsenen Intiaan lähettämän avunpyynnön" [Eagle S | The shipping company's lawyer criticizes the authorities in strong words - HS received a request for help sent to India by a crew member]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 30 December 2024. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
"Eagle S:n asianajaja kritisoi voimakkaasti Suomen viranomaisia – poliisi kiistää: "Kyllä siellä on syödä ja juoda voinut"" [Eagle S's lawyer strongly criticizes Finnish authorities - police deny: "Yes, it was possible to eat and drink there"]. Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). 30 December 2024. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/3187 of 16 December 2024 amending Decision 2014/512/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine, 16 December 2024, retrieved 28 December 2024
"'High-risk' dark fleet tanker leaves ABS class as unscheduled survey into condition looms". Lloyd's List. 18 July 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
^ "Finland probes Russia-linked oil tanker over undersea outage". DW. 26 December 2024.
"Tämä tiedetään | Seitsemän Eagle S -aluksen miehistön jäsentä määrätty matkustuskieltoon, kertoo krp". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 31 December 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
Karvinen, Eevi (27 December 2024). "Poliisi: Eagle S:n miehistö on hämmentynyt – Kansalaisuudet selvisivät" [Police: The crew of Eagle S is confused – Nationalities have been revealed]. Iltalehti (in Finnish). Retrieved 27 December 2024.
"Tulli: Alus kuuluu varjolaivastoon" [Customs: The ship belongs to the shadow fleet]. Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). 26 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
Kallionpää, Katri (27 December 2024). "Eagle S lähti Venäjältä varhain joulupäivänä, ylitti Estlink 2 -kaapelin ja teki kiepin – video näyttää aluksen reitin" [Eagle S departed from Russia early on Christmas Day, crossed the Estlink 2 cable, and made a loop – the video shows the ship's route]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 27 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
"Finland police seize Russian-linked dark fleet tanker Eagle S in cable-cutting investigation". lloydslist.com. 26 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
"Lentokielto tukee esitutkintaa" [The flight ban supports the preliminary investigation]. Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). 26 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
"Poliisiylijohtaja: Venäjään ei olla yhteydessä" [Police Chief: No contact with Russia]. Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). 26 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
"Keskusrikospoliisi jatkaa kaapelivaurioiden tutkintaa" [The Finnish National Criminal Police continues to investigate the cable damage.]. Poliisi (in Finnish). 29 December 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
"KRP Ylelle: Ankkurin raahausjälki voi olla jopa sata kilometriä – uutena rikosnimikkeenä törkeä tietoliikenteen häirintä" [KRP to Yle: Anchor drag can be up to a hundred kilometers - new criminal offense: aggravated interference with telecommunications]. Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). 29 December 2024. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
"Vedenalaiset tutkimukset ovat jälleen käynnistyneet Suomenlahdella". Poliisi (in Finnish). Retrieved 1 January 2025.
"Russia-linked cable-cutting tanker seized by Finland 'was loaded with spying equipment'". Lloyd's List. 27 December 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
"Kaapelivaurio | Asiantuntijat kommentoivat Eagle S:n vakoiluväitteitä: Tavallinen miehistö ei olisi osannut käyttää laitteita". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 28 December 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
"Näin poliisi kommentoi hurjaa lehtiväitettä Eagle S:n laitteista". www.iltalehti.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 1 January 2025.
"Unavailability of electricity facilities : Transmission". Nord Pool — UMM Platform. Fingrid Oyj. 26 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
"Electricity in Finland may even become cheaper due to suspected cable sabotage". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 27 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
ERR, ERR | (28 December 2024). "Eesti Energia preparing to raise fixed electricity package prices". ERR. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
"Estlink 2 -kaapelin korjaustyöt tulevat maksamaan kymmeniä miljoonia" [Estlink 2 cable repair work will cost tens of millions]. mtvuutiset.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 29 December 2024.
Karis, Alar (26 December 2024). "Repeated damage to Baltic Sea infrastructure signals a systemic threat, not mere accidents. #Estonia will take action to counter this threat, together with #Finland and other #NATO allies" (Tweet). Retrieved 27 December 2024 – via Twitter.
"EU preparing sanctions on Russia's 'shadow fleet' after cable damage". euronews. 27 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
"Estonia navy to protect undersea power link after main cable damaged". BBC. 27 December 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
"Estlink 2 | Eagle S -aluksen vastuuhenkilöt saattavat joutua Suomessa viranomaisten huomaan: "Mitään diplomaattista suojaa ei ole"" [Estlink 2 | Those responsible for the Eagle S ship may come to the attention of authorities in Finland: "There is no diplomatic protection"]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 27 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
"Telekaapelit ovat jykevämpiä" [Telecom cables are sturdier]. Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). 26 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2024. Asialle on myös nimetty syyttäjä.
"Finland detains Russia-linked vessel over damaged undersea power cable in Baltic Sea". NPR. 27 December 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
Stenvall, Niko (27 December 2024). "Rutte: Nato lisää sotilaallista läsnäoloaan Itämerellä" [Rutte: NATO increases its military presence in the Baltic Sea]. Iltalehti (in Finnish). Retrieved 27 December 2024.
"В Кремле не комментируют вопрос задержания Финляндией нефтяного танкера" [The Kremlin has not commented on the issue of Finland's detention of an oil tanker]. TACC (in Russian). Retrieved 27 December 2024.
"New Zealand not responsible for ship seized by Finland - MFAT". RNZ. 28 December 2024. Archived from the original on 28 December 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
"Russia invasion of Ukraine: Parliament passes Russia Sanctions Act unanimously". The New Zealand Herald. 9 March 2022. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
"Joint Statement from Australia and New Zealand". Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 28 November 2024. Archived from the original on 28 December 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
"Seizure of Cook Islands-registered ship over alleged sabotage 'creates a bad look' for NZ - expert". RNZ. 29 December 2024. Archived from the original on 30 December 2024. Retrieved 31 December 2024.

External links

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