Spy Equipment Found On Russia-linked Tanker Seized By Finland For Damaging Subsea Cables

Finnish authorities have seized a Russian tanker, Eagle S, after finding sophisticated spying equipment on board and linking it to the damage of an undersea electricity cable in the Gulf of Finland.

The ship was equipped with advanced devices designed to monitor NATO naval and aircraft activities, raising concerns over espionage in the region.

The tanker, flagged by the Cook Islands, was involved in dragging its anchor across the seabed on Christmas Day, damaging the Estlink 2 power cable, which provides electricity between Finland and Estonia.

This disruption caused possible risks of power shortages, especially during the cold winter months.

Authorities found transmitting and receiving equipment on the Eagle S, including portable suitcases and laptops with Russian and Turkish language keyboards.

The devices were allegedly used to record radio frequencies from NATO vessels, which were then transmitted to Russia for analysis. This raised suspicions that the ship was being used for spying rather than transporting cargo.

The ship’s crew, consisting of personnel from Georgia and India, has been questioned by Finnish police, although no arrests have been made yet.

The authorities have also seized the vessel’s cargo for further inspection. Finnish officials are treating the incident as “aggravated vandalism” and are collecting evidence to support their case.

A maritime expert familiar with the vessel pointed out that the ship’s equipment was unusual for a merchant vessel, consuming excessive power and causing repeated blackouts, which led to suspicions about its true purpose.

Similar equipment was also found on another tanker, Swiftsea Rider, linked to the same ownership.

The Eagle S is one of the several Russia-linked tankers suspected of being used for covert operations. These ships, associated with Russia’s oil trader Litasco, are believed to be used to circumvent sanctions and conduct espionage activities, especially in regions near NATO countries.

Further investigations are underway, with authorities continuing to examine the ship’s equipment. The vessel’s anchor was found missing after dragging along the seabed for up to 50 nautical miles.

Finnish police expect to resume their work when weather conditions improve.

In response to the incident, Finland, along with other Baltic nations, has increased patrols in the region to protect critical infrastructure and prevent further sabotage. Estonia has confirmed that power is stable despite the damage to the cables.

Reference: Lloyd’s list

Source: Maritime Shipping News