Estonia Strengthens Naval Patrols Amid Suspected Sabotage of Underwater Cables
In a decisive move to safeguard its energy connections, Estonia has commenced naval patrols in response to the suspected sabotage of an underwater cable supplying electricity from Finland. This initiative was confirmed by Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur, who announced the deployment of naval forces close to the Estlink 1 cable, emphasizing the need to protect this critical energy link.
The heightened security measures come on the heels of the disconnection of the Estlink 2 submarine cable from the power grid, which occurred just over a month after two telecommunications cables were cut in Swedish territorial waters in the Baltic Sea. The situation has raised significant alarms among Baltic nations, prompting concern over the integrity of essential infrastructure in the region.
Additionally, Finnish authorities are actively investigating the Eagle S, an oil tanker flagged in the Cook Islands, which had recently departed from a Russian port. This vessel is being scrutinized for its possible involvement in the incidents, as it was en route to Port Said in Egypt when the incident occurred. Sami Rakshit, the director general of Finnish customs, noted that the vessel is suspected to belong to a shadow fleet—a term used to describe vessels transporting Russian crude oil and products that are under embargo due to the ongoing conflict stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The investigation has revealed that the tanker’s anchor might have inadvertently damaged the power cable, a scenario that Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna finds hard to believe given the frequency of such incidents. Tsahkna stated, "The damages to critical underwater infrastructure have become so frequent that it's hard to believe they are accidents or just bad maritime manoeuvres. Dragging an anchor on the seafloor could hardly be considered an accident."
As the situation unfolds, Estonia's proactive steps underscore its commitment to securing vital energy supplies amidst rising tensions in the Baltic region. The review of maritime regulations and the enforcement of stricter surveillance measures may be on the horizon as nations evaluate their capabilities to safeguard underwater infrastructure from future threats.
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