The Baltic Sea has become a tense region in recent years. Damaged infrastructure and geopolitical tensions have raised concerns about security.
One recent case involved the tanker Eagle S, which was suspected of damaging undersea cables between Finland and Estonia. Now, Helsinki police have lifted the vessel’s arrest, according to Ukrinform.
According to Finnish authorities, the decision was made on February 28. Investigators found no grounds to keep the ship detained.
Technical inspections and the preliminary investigation did not provide enough evidence to justify further restrictions.
The Eagle S has now left the city of Porvoo. Finnish border guards are monitoring its departure from the country’s territorial waters and economic zone. The vessel’s movement will continue to be tracked.
Energy operators Fingrid and Elering also declined to seek continued detention of the ship. They cited financial risks as a key factor.
Instead, they plan to take legal action and seek compensation for damages. The operators are currently covering the costs of repairing the damaged Estlink 2 cable to restore service as quickly as possible.
Authorities are still considering legal action against the crew. Police have identified eight suspects in the case. Three of them remain in Finland under a written promise not to leave.
The damage to the Estlink 2 cable, along with four telecommunications cables, was first discovered on December 25, 2024.
The cables, which connect Finland and Estonia, were damaged in Finland’s special economic zone.
The Eagle S, which sails under the Cook Islands flag, was detained by Finnish officials in late December.
The ship was then moved to the port of Kilpilahti and officially placed under arrest in early January. The ship’s owner tried to appeal the decision but was unsuccessful.
Investigators suspect that the ship’s anchor caused the damage. Finnish officials have not ruled out the possibility of sabotage.
Some believe the incident could have been intentional and may have ties to Russia.
The tanker is suspected of being part of Russia’s so-called "shadow fleet." The case remains open as authorities continue their investigation.
