Finnish and Estonian authorities are investigating damage to an undersea telecommunications cable that occurred Wednesday in the Gulf of Finland, between Helsinki and Tallinn. The infrastructure, considered critical, belongs to the Finnish operator Elisa. The damage was discovered within Estonia's exclusive economic zone.
The Finnish coast guard reported intercepting and inspecting a vessel suspected of causing the incident. The ship, whose anchor was submerged when it was spotted in Finland's exclusive economic zone, had its crew detained. Helsinki police have opened an investigation for aggravated damage, attempted aggravated damage, and serious interference with telecommunications.
The ship in question, the Fitburg, flying the flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, was carrying a crew of 14 people from countries including Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan. It was making a crossing between Russia and Israel , according to authorities.
A strategic area under high surveillance
The head of the Finnish National Police, Ilkka Koskimäki , stated that investigators were not currently favoring any state-sponsored leads. He did, however, confirm that the ship had been at anchor for several hours, a key element of the investigation. Finnish President Alexander Stubb affirmed that Finland was prepared to face security challenges of all kinds.
The Gulf of Finland is one of the busiest shipping lanes in Europe. The cables and pipelines that converge there are essential for communications, energy, and trade between the Nordic, Baltic, and Central European countries, while in some cases reducing dependence on Russian resources.
The incident is reminiscent of a previous one in late 2024, when cables linking Finland and Estonia were damaged. Finnish authorities then prosecuted the captain and two officers of a Russian-linked oil tanker, the Eagle S, for similar actions. Moscow denied any involvement.
In the context of the war in Ukraine, several Western countries believe these incidents could constitute acts of sabotage targeting sensitive infrastructure. The European Union has already pointed the finger at the so-called Russian "ghost fleet," composed of aging ships with opaque ownership, used to circumvent sanctions.
Estonian authorities are now cooperating closely with Helsinki to determine whether to open a separate criminal investigation or pursue joint action. Elisa has confirmed that its services were not disrupted. A second cable, belonging to the Swedish operator Arelion , was also damaged in the area, though a link between the two incidents has not yet been established. Repairs are scheduled to begin as soon as weather conditions permit.
