Estonia launches naval operation to protect EstLink 1 undersea cable

The Estonian military has launched a naval operation to protect the EstLink 1 undersea power cable in the Baltic Sea, after the EstLink 2 cable was damaged earlier. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna announced the operation today, according to Reuters. On Thursday, Finnish authorities detained a tanker sailing from Russia under the Cook Islands flag, which they suspect was involved in Wednesday’s damage to the EstLink 2 cable between Finland and Estonia. NATO will increase the presence of its military forces in the Baltic Sea following the incident, alliance chief Mark Rutte said today.

„If critical undersea infrastructure in our region is threatened, there will be a response,“ Tsahkna wrote on social media platform X.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte spoke with Finnish President Alexander Stubb about „possible sabotage“ of undersea cables. „I expressed my full solidarity and support. NATO will strengthen its military presence in the Baltic Sea,“ Rutte wrote on X.

The situation is under control, according to the Finnish president. „We must continue working vigilantly together to ensure that our critical infrastructure is not damaged by external actors,“ Stubb said. Finnish authorities also suspect the vessel of damaging or cutting four internet cables. The Estonian and Finnish governments held emergency meetings on Thursday in response to the incident.

Finnish authorities said the Border Guard, which has command in the Baltic Sea, boarded the Eagle S and escorted it into Finnish waters. „We are investigating a serious act of sabotage,“ said Robin Lardot, head of the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (KRP). „According to our information, the damage was caused by the vessel’s anchor, which is under investigation,“ Lardot added.

Finland seized the vessel’s cargo and said the Eagle S is part of the so-called shadow fleet of older tankers. Russia uses these vessels unofficially to circumvent Western sanctions on its oil exports.

Baltic countries have feared acts of sabotage following several disruptions to undersea cables and pipelines since 2022. On December 16, a group of 12 Western countries also announced that they had agreed on measures to deter Russia from using its shadow fleet and increase the cost to Moscow of its war against Ukraine.