Finnish Authorities Seize Vessel Suspected of Underwater Cable Damage

In a significant development in the Gulf of Finland, Finnish officials have seized a vessel suspected of damaging an underwater telecommunications cable that runs between Helsinki and Tallinn. The cable, owned by the telecom group Elisa, is located in Estonia's exclusive economic zone. However, specifics about the identity of the vessel remain undisclosed. Elisa, headquartered in Helsinki, detected a malfunction in the cable early on Wednesday and promptly reported it to authorities. In response, Finnish police, alongside a border guard patrol vessel and helicopter, located the suspect vessel parked with its anchor lowered into the sea. Authorities ordered the ship to relocate and anchor within Finnish territorial waters. Finnish police are treating this incident very seriously, classifying it as aggravated criminal damage, attempted aggravated criminal damage, and aggravated interference with telecommunications. To tackle this issue comprehensively, the police have reached out to various national and international authorities, including those in Estonia. The Baltic Sea has witnessed repeated damage to critical energy and communications infrastructure, such as underwater cables and pipelines. Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, there is growing concern among experts and political leaders that the incidents of cable sabotage may be indicative of a hybrid warfare strategy employed by Moscow against Western nations. Finland's President Alexander Stubb emphasized the country's readiness to face varied security challenges, reaffirming their commitment to respond adequately to such incidents. This caution underscores the heightened awareness surrounding national infrastructure security amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2