NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated on Friday (December 27) that NATO will enhance patrolling in the region as Finnish investigators work to determine if a ship related to Russia is linked to the recent damage of undersea cables in the Baltic Sea.
The Finnish government took control of the ship “Eagle S” on Thursday in an attempt to ascertain if the vessel damaged the power cable connecting Finland and Estonia, along with several data cables. This incident marks the latest disruption in a series of critical infrastructure interruptions in the region.
Rutte shared on the social platform X that he had discussions with Finnish President Alexander Stubb regarding the “Finnish-led investigation into potential damage to undersea cables.” He mentioned that NATO will strengthen its military presence in the Baltic Sea.
When asked about NATO’s actions and timing, the alliance’s headquarters, composed of 32 member countries, stated that they are “remaining vigilant and working towards providing further support, including bolstering our military presence in the area.”
Finland shares a 1340-kilometer (832-mile) border with Russia and joined NATO in 2023, abandoning its longstanding neutrality policy.
In response to similar incidents, in October 2023, NATO and its allies deployed more maritime patrol aircraft, long-range radar planes, and drones for surveillance and reconnaissance flights, while also dispatching a mine-sweeping fleet to the area.
The controlled “Eagle S” ship flying the flag of the Cook Islands in the South Pacific was identified by Finnish customs officials and EU authorities as part of Russia’s shadow fleet engaged in oil and natural gas transportation, disregarding international sanctions against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
These aged vessels often lack clear ownership and do not purchase insurance monitored by Western regulators. Concerns have arisen about the environmental impact of accidents involving these vessels due to their age and uncertain insurance coverage.
As reported by Finnish national broadcaster Yle, Finnish police statements suggest that the anchor of “Eagle S” is suspected of causing damage to the cables.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment when asked about the ship’s seizure on Friday.
Following a high-level meeting in Finland regarding the incident, President Stubb reassured on X that “the situation is under control, and there is no reason for concern.” However, he noted that the investigation is ongoing, and Finland and Estonia have requested additional assistance from NATO.
He mentioned that new measures may include “checking insurance certificates of ships in the region” and added, “We are also exploring ways under international maritime law to better address similar incidents in the future.”
The Estlink-2 power cable connecting Finland to Estonia across the Baltic Sea experienced a malfunction on Wednesday, which did not significantly impact services. Previously, two data cables and the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline were also damaged, deemed deliberate acts of sabotage.
The two data cables, one linking Finland and Germany and the other connecting Lithuania and Sweden, were severed in November. The German Defense Minister suggested that the cables might have been deliberately damaged but did not provide evidence or specify who might be responsible.
In September 2022, the “Nord Stream” pipeline that used to transport natural gas from Russia to Germany was damaged by an underwater explosion. Authorities confirmed it was sabotage, launching a criminal investigation. NATO subsequently intensified patrols near underwater infrastructure and established a coordination group last year to enhance communication between governments, military, and defense industries to better protect undersea facilities.
(Reference: This article is based on reports from Associated Press)