“Three cases in one year cannot be a coincidence”, “it is difficult to believe that they are accidents or just bad maritime maneuvers”. Repair will take months
What cable is this?
This is the Estlink 2 cable, operating since 2014, which is the second high voltage direct current connection between Finland and Estonia. The first is Estlink 1 and was opened in 2006. Both are a submarine electrical link in the Baltic Sea. The cable supplies electricity, the supply of which can suffer problems – in the middle of winter.
When did the cable cut happen?
According to operator Fingrid, the interruption of 658 megawatts (MW) of Estlink 2, following a cut, began at noon (local time) on Wednesday, leaving only Estlink 1, of 358 MW, in operation between Finland and Estonia.
What caused the cable to cut?
It is not yet known, but there are strong suspicions that it was the work of a Russian oil tanker that operated under the Cook Island flag.
Was the Russian ship seized?
Yes. The Finnish police and border guard seized the tanker in question because it was suspected of being part of the “Russian ghost fleet”.
What ship is this?
“The assumption at the moment is that it is a parallel fleet ship and that the cargo was unleaded gasoline loaded in a Russian port,” said Sami Rakshit, director general of Finnish customs. At issue is the ship Eagle S, which would be on its way to Port Said, Egypt, according to . The says the ship was carrying 35,000 tons of unleaded gasoline brought from Russia.
Was there sabotage?
It is not yet known, but, in a press conference, the Finnish police say they have “reasons to suspect that this vessel registered in the Cook Islands damaged Estlink 2 and other cables”, and is therefore “a”. At issue, Finnish authorities say, is the suspicion that the tanker’s anchor may have damaged the power cable.
What do the Finnish and Estonian governments say?
Finnish President Alexander Stubb argues that “three cases in one year cannot be a coincidence”, calling for a greater NATO presence in the area. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna considers that “damage to critical underwater infrastructure has become so frequent that it is difficult to believe they are accidents or just bad maritime maneuvers”.
Has NATO already reacted?
Yes. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said he spoke with Stubb and Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal and that the Atlantic Alliance will increase its military presence in the Baltic Sea.
Spoke w/ about the ongoing Finnish-led investigation into possible sabotage of undersea cables. I expressed my full solidarity and support. will enhance its military presence in the Baltic Sea.
— Mark Rutte (@SecGenNATO)
And the European Union?
Also. The EU’s foreign policy chief said Russia’s parallel fleet “threatens security and the environment while financing Russia’s war budget.” In a post made on the social network X, Kaja Kallas says she will suggest “additional measures, including sanctions, to target this fleet”.
The incident involving undersea cables in the Baltic Sea is the latest in a series of suspected attacks on critical infrastructure.
We commend the Finnish authorities for their swift action in boarding the suspected vessel.
My joint statement →
(1/3)— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas)
How long does it take to repair a cut cable?
The 170-kilometer route will take months and the interruption could cause a tense power supply situation during the winter, operator Fingrid said in a statement.
And was Estlink 1 damaged or cut?
No. To prevent something similar from happening, the Estonian armed forces launched one into the Baltic Sea.
Is this the first time there have been damaged cables in the Baltic Sea?
No. In fact, the Estlink 2 cut comes shortly after Swedish police launched an investigation in November into two telecommunications cables struck in the Baltic Sea by a Chinese-flagged ship. In 2022, the Nord Stream gas pipelines, between Russia and Germany, were burst, in a case still under investigation by Germany.
