Finnish detain Russian tanker linked to Baltic cable damage
The Eagle S ship, which—according to the authorities in Helsinki—belongs to the Russian "shadow fleet", was detained by the Finnish border guard. It is suspected of being responsible for the EstLink 2 power cable damage. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo believes tankers from Russia's "shadow fleet" pose a "threat to all Baltic and EU countries."
Finnish police reported on Thursday that they have reasons to suspect that the Eagle S tanker is related to the damage to the undersea EstLink 2 power cable. Finnish Customs suspect that the ship belongs to the so-called Russian shadow fleet. The reason for this suspicion is the fact that this tanker does not have insurance issued by a Western company.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo announced that the damage to the EstLink 2 power line is "a result of Russia's attack on Ukraine." However, he admitted that it is still too early to directly accuse Russia, although "the shadow fleet sails on its behalf."
According to the Finnish head of government, the Russian shadow fleet tankers are a "threat to all Baltic and EU countries, and therefore additional measures to stop them are needed."
- The tankers are funneling money into Russia’s treasury and its war fund, he stated, emphasising that currently, nearly 80 ships making up the shadow fleet are listed under EU sanctions, but there may be more than 400 similar vessels.
The Eagle S tanker detained by Finnish authorities has not yet been blacklisted.
Source: PAP, WP
