Finnish officials announced the release of the oil tanker Eagle S, which was seized in December over its suspected role in a series of undersea cable sabotages. While the ship is free to leave, a criminal investigation remains active.
Finland Releases Oil Tanker Linked to Undersea Cable Sabotage Investigation
Finland Releases Oil Tanker Linked to Undersea Cable Sabotage Investigation
Finnish authorities have freed the Eagle S oil tanker amidst an ongoing investigation into its alleged involvement in cutting undersea cables, with connections to Russian maritime activities still under scrutiny.
On March 2, 2025, the Finnish police declared the Eagle S, previously held under suspicion of deliberate sabotage of crucial undersea cables, has been released back into international waters, although the investigation into its activities continues. Originally seized in December, the vessel is believed to have ties to Russia's shadow fleet—a collection of older tankers implicated in covert oil transportation.
The continued inquiry has provided new insights into the incident, prompting Prime Minister Petteri Orpo to assert that criminal investigations would proceed. Authorities revealed that eight crew members are implicated in serious offenses, including aggravated criminal mischief. While five of the crew members were permitted to leave Finland, three remain under investigation.
The investigation centers on the vessel's operations during a time when undersea cables in the Baltic Sea were severed, raising alarms across Europe and leading NATO to increase security measures. The Eagle S was reportedly en route from St. Petersburg to Port Said when it was seized, creating suspicion regarding the Kremlin's potential utilization of shadow fleet tactics amid ongoing sanctions related to the Ukraine conflict.
Russian officials have denied any involvement in the sabotage allegations while condemning the ship's seizure. The investigation continues as Finnish authorities expect findings to be reported by the end of April.
The continued inquiry has provided new insights into the incident, prompting Prime Minister Petteri Orpo to assert that criminal investigations would proceed. Authorities revealed that eight crew members are implicated in serious offenses, including aggravated criminal mischief. While five of the crew members were permitted to leave Finland, three remain under investigation.
The investigation centers on the vessel's operations during a time when undersea cables in the Baltic Sea were severed, raising alarms across Europe and leading NATO to increase security measures. The Eagle S was reportedly en route from St. Petersburg to Port Said when it was seized, creating suspicion regarding the Kremlin's potential utilization of shadow fleet tactics amid ongoing sanctions related to the Ukraine conflict.
Russian officials have denied any involvement in the sabotage allegations while condemning the ship's seizure. The investigation continues as Finnish authorities expect findings to be reported by the end of April.
