An oil tanker believed to be associated with Russia’s “shadow fleet” and suspected of causing damage to undersea Baltic cables has been permitted to exit Finland’s waters, where it has been detained since December, according to Finnish police.
The Eagle S, registered in the Cook Islands, is alleged to have deliberately dragged its anchor for several kilometers along the Baltic seabed, resulting in damage to an electrical cable and four telecommunications cables on December 25.
“As the criminal investigation carried out by the National Bureau of Investigation, including the forensic examination aboard the Eagle S, has advanced, there are no longer justifications for maintaining the seizure of the tanker,” the police stated in a release.
The anchor was located by the Swedish navy in January.
The investigation will proceed, with police indicating that they anticipate its completion by the end of April.
Security analysts assert that Russia is operating an extensive “shadow fleet” comprising hundreds of vessels, attempting to evade the sanctions imposed by Western nations on its oil exports due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Several undersea Baltic cables were compromised last year, leading many experts to describe it as part of a “hybrid war” waged by Russia against Western countries.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, both Sweden and Finland became NATO members, and the military alliance has recently intensified its monitoring efforts in the Baltic Sea.
The Finnish coast guard will accompany the tanker to international waters.
