In brief
Authorities continue to investigate suspected links to Russian operations in the Baltic Sea sabotage incidents.
The Finnish authorities announced on Sunday that they have released the oil tanker Eagle S, which was seized in December for suspected involvement in the cutting of crucial undersea cables. Despite the release, a criminal investigation into the matter will persist. Officials stated that the vessel has connections to Russia's shadow fleet—older tankers believed to covertly transport Russian crude oil, thereby heightening fears of a scheme aimed at sabotaging European infrastructure.In a recent statement, Finnish police revealed that their inquiries have made progress, allowing the aging tanker to depart after border officials escorted it out of the country’s territorial waters. Petteri Orpo, Finland's prime minister, commented during an interview with the public broadcaster Yle that the criminal process and investigation will continue. Investigators are examining evidence collected during an onboard forensic investigation and plan to interview the crew further.The police indicated that eight crew members face allegations, including aggravated criminal mischief and severe interference with communications. Five of the members were permitted to leave Finland last week, while the remaining three individuals are still under restrictions. Authorities aim to conclude their investigation by the end of April.The severing of undersea cables in December occurred amidst a series of similar incidents, prompting NATO to enhance its security presence in the Baltic region. Moreover, in January, Swedish authorities confiscated a different ship, suspecting it of "gross sabotage" related to damage on another undersea cable. In response to these incidents, last month, the European Union committed to bolstering security measures following yet another cable break.Registered in the Cook Islands, the Eagle S was en route from St. Petersburg, Russia, to Port Said, Egypt, when it was apprehended. Western officials are increasingly worried that Moscow's shadow fleet may be employed to bypass sanctions linked to its extensive invasion of Ukraine, and these cable incidents have raised alarms that this fleet could also serve as a tool for sabotage. The Kremlin has dismissed any allegations of involvement in sabotage and criticized the seizure of the Eagle S.
