Post by : Badri Ariffin

Authorities in Finland have apprehended a pair of crew members from the cargo vessel Fitburg following its connection to damage sustained by an undersea telecommunications cable in the Gulf of Finland. This incident unfolded early Wednesday within Estonia's exclusive economic zone, situated between the capitals of Finland and Estonia.

The affected cable, which belongs to Finnish telecom enterprise Elisa, serves as crucial infrastructure essential for maintaining communication and connectivity in the area.

Helsinki's police department has initiated an investigation focused on serious criminal damage, attempts of serious criminal damage, and significant disruption of telecommunications. Furthermore, two additional crew members from the Fitburg are currently under travel restrictions as the inquiry progresses.

Details regarding the detained crew members—including their ranks and nationalities—remain undisclosed by officials. The Fitburg is registered under St. Vincent and the Grenadines and was traveling from Russia to Israel, featuring a crew of 14 hailing from Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan.

Finnish National Police Commissioner Ilkka Koskimäki noted that the vessel had been dragging its anchor for a considerable period in Finland’s territorial waters when the damage was identified. Authorities are not speculating on the possible involvement of state actors.

Investigation efforts by Finnish Customs have uncovered that the cargo on board included structural steel from Russia, which is currently prohibited under European Union sanctions against imports into EU territory. Finnish Customs is continuing its examination within the framework of EU sanctions regulations.

The Gulf of Finland acts as a vital maritime conduit, housing numerous undersea cables and pipelines crucial for trade, energy stability, and communication across Nordic, Baltic, and Central European nations. These infrastructures play a significant role in reducing dependency on Russian energy sources.

This incident is not unprecedented; last year, Finnish authorities took legal action against the captain and two senior officers of the Russia-linked ship Eagle S for damaging undersea cables on Christmas Day 2024. Although the charges were dismissed due to jurisdictional challenges, the event intensified fears of sabotage aimed at critical infrastructures.

The Eagle S had associations with Russia’s “shadow fleet”—dilapidated vessels operating to bypass Western sanctions due to the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Russia has denied any involvement in the damage to cables that support thousands of users across Europe.

The recent detention of the Fitburg crew highlights the ongoing commitment of Finnish and EU authorities to safeguard essential undersea infrastructure from potential sabotage and unlawful actions in a geopolitically sensitive area.

#Global News