Following the incident involving the seizure of the Eagle S oil tanker, which is suspected of intentionally damaging submarine cables in the Baltic Sea, including the Estlink 2 power cable and four telecommunications cables, Finnish authorities have taken action. A travel ban has been imposed on the tanker’s crew, and plans are in place to inspect the vessel.
“On January 2, 2025, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom will commence a control inspection of the Eagle S tanker,” stated Sanna Sonninen, the director of the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency. The inspection is being conducted in a manner that does not interfere with ongoing police operations and investigations.
The Eagle S tanker, believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” is suspected of engaging in a gray-zone operation by dragging its anchor for several miles, resulting in the severing of important cables. The National Bureau of Investigation has placed a travel ban on the crew members to facilitate ongoing questioning and investigation.
In a related incident, the Yi Peng 3, a Chinese-registered bulk carrier, was previously suspected of damaging fiber-optic data cables in the Baltic Sea. These incidents have raised concerns about potential hybrid warfare tactics being employed by Russia and China in the region.
Subsea cables have been increasingly targeted in the Baltics, with some experts viewing these actions as a form of hybrid warfare against Western nations. The recent sinking of a Russian cargo ship in the Mediterranean, with claims of terrorism, adds to the complex geopolitical landscape.
As tensions continue to rise globally, questions about the possibility of World War III loom large. The interconnected nature of these incidents underscores the importance of maintaining security and vigilance in the face of evolving threats.
[Images and sources: Refer to original article for visuals and references]