By Smartencyclopedia with Agencies

Helsinki – Finnish authorities have detained a Russia-linked ship as part of an ongoing investigation into the damage of an undersea power cable and several data cables in the Baltic Sea.

The Eagle S, a vessel flagged in the Cook Islands but suspected to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” was intercepted by Finnish police and border guards early Thursday morning. The ship, known for its murky ownership and alleged involvement in circumventing Western sanctions, is now under investigation.

Finnish authorities suspect the Eagle S’s anchor may have caused damage to the Estlink-2 power cable, which connects Finland to Estonia. The cable went offline on Wednesday, raising concerns about energy security in the region.

This incident follows a series of disruptions to critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. In November, two data cables were severed, and in September 2022, the Nord Stream gas pipelines were damaged by suspected sabotage.

The recent incidents have heightened tensions in the region. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has convened a meeting to address the situation, while Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina emphasized the need for increased surveillance and monitoring.

While acknowledging the challenges posed by these incidents, Latvian officials assured that the Baltic states currently have sufficient energy production capacity.

The investigation into the Eagle S is ongoing.