Finland Charges Captain and Officers of Russian “Shadow Fleet” Vessel Over Cable Damage

Finnish prosecutors have charged the captain and two senior officers of the Eagle S, a vessel linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” over the suspected sabotage of underwater cables in the Gulf of Finland.

The men face charges of aggravated vandalism and aggravated interference with telecommunications, along with alternative criminal counts. They are accused of dragging the ship’s anchor along the seabed for around 90 kilometers during the 2024 Christmas period, severing five cables in the process, Yle reported.

The Eagle S had departed Russia carrying petroleum products and is believed to be part of a sanctions-evading network of tankers sailing under foreign flags. During the investigation, the defendants denied any wrongdoing and argued that Finland lacks jurisdiction because the alleged cable damage occurred outside its territorial waters.

Finnish police initially suspected nine individuals in the case, but later reduced that number to three. The criminal investigation into the tanker was formally concluded in June 2025.

Heightened Baltic Sea Security Concerns

The Baltic Sea region has been on high alert for potential sabotage following a string of incidents affecting power lines, gas pipelines, and telecom infrastructure.

Officials have linked the heightened risk to geopolitical tensions and increased activity by Russian-linked vessels in European waters.