Investigation Underway into Damage of Undersea Telecom Cable in Gulf of Finland

Authorities are currently investigating damage to an undersea telecommunications cable in the Gulf of Finland, which occurred early Wednesday between the capitals of Finland and Estonia. This incident has raised significant concerns regarding the integrity of critical infrastructure in the region.

In response to the damage, Finnish authorities seized and inspected the vessel suspected of causing it. According to the country’s border guard, the ship’s anchor was lowered when it was found within Finland’s exclusive economic zone.

Helsinki police have initiated an investigation into aggravated criminal damage, attempted aggravated criminal damage, and aggravated interference with telecommunications. This reflects the seriousness with which Finnish authorities are treating the incident.

Read more: Poland Says Key Infrastructure at Risk After Baltic Sea Incident

The damaged cable is owned by Finnish telecommunications service provider Elisa and is deemed critical for underwater infrastructure. Notably, the damage occurred within Estonia’s exclusive economic zone, as reported by local police.

The crew of the ship, identified as the Fitburg, consists of 14 members from Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan. They were detained by Finnish authorities, with local media confirming that the vessel was flagged in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and was en route from Russia to Israel.

Finnish National Police Commissioner Ilkka Koskimäki stated that investigators are not speculating on whether a state-level actor was involved in the damage. He noted that the ship had been dragging its anchor for several hours prior to the incident.

“Finland is prepared for security challenges of various kinds, and we respond to them as necessary,” Finnish President Alexander Stubb remarked on the social platform X, emphasizing the country’s readiness to address potential threats.

The undersea cables and pipelines that traverse one of Europe’s busiest shipping lanes connect Nordic, Baltic, and central European nations. These infrastructures are vital for promoting trade and energy security, and they also help reduce dependence on Russian energy resources.

Earlier this year, Finnish authorities charged the captain and two senior officers of a Russia-linked vessel responsible for damaging undersea cables between Finland and Estonia on Christmas Day in 2024. The Finnish deputy prosecutor general announced in August that charges of aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference with communications were filed against the crew, whose identities were not disclosed. They have denied the allegations.

The Kremlin has previously denied any involvement in damaging infrastructure that provides power and communication to thousands of Europeans. The Eagle S, another vessel flagged in the Cook Islands, has been described by Finnish customs officials and the European Union’s executive commission as part of Russia’s shadow fleet, which consists of aging vessels with obscure ownership aimed at evading Western sanctions amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

For Western nations, such incidents are perceived as part of a broader pattern of sabotage attacks allegedly linked to Moscow following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

In a related development, Estonian authorities are collaborating with Finnish officials to determine whether to initiate a separate criminal case or proceed with a joint prosecution regarding the Elisa incident. Fortunately, Elisa has reported that its services remain unaffected by the damage.

Additionally, another undersea cable owned by Swedish telecommunications provider Arelion was also damaged early Wednesday. It remains unclear whether this incident is connected to the damage sustained by Elisa’s cable. Martin Sjögren, an Arelion spokesperson, confirmed the damage and stated that they are actively working with authorities in Sweden and other countries to investigate the cause of the cuts.

Repair work is anticipated to commence as soon as weather conditions improve. Sjögren noted that the majority of the company’s customers have not been impacted by the damage.

Photograph: The seized vessel Fitburg rests in the harbour in Kirkkonummi, Finland, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (Roni Rekomaa/Lehtikuva via AP)

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Authorities are currently investigating damage to an undersea telecommunications cable in the Gulf of Finland, which occurred early Wednesday between the capitals of Finland and Estonia. This incident has raised significant concerns regarding the integrity of critical infrastructure in the region.

In response to the damage, Finnish authorities seized and inspected the vessel suspected of causing it. According to the country’s border guard, the ship’s anchor was lowered when it was found within Finland’s exclusive economic zone.

Helsinki police have initiated an investigation into aggravated criminal damage, attempted aggravated criminal damage, and aggravated interference with telecommunications. This reflects the seriousness with which Finnish authorities are treating the incident.

Read more: Poland Says Key Infrastructure at Risk After Baltic Sea Incident

The damaged cable is owned by Finnish telecommunications service provider Elisa and is deemed critical for underwater infrastructure. Notably, the damage occurred within Estonia’s exclusive economic zone, as reported by local police.

The crew of the ship, identified as the Fitburg, consists of 14 members from Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan. They were detained by Finnish authorities, with local media confirming that the vessel was flagged in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and was en route from Russia to Israel.

Finnish National Police Commissioner Ilkka Koskimäki stated that investigators are not speculating on whether a state-level actor was involved in the damage. He noted that the ship had been dragging its anchor for several hours prior to the incident.

“Finland is prepared for security challenges of various kinds, and we respond to them as necessary,” Finnish President Alexander Stubb remarked on the social platform X, emphasizing the country’s readiness to address potential threats.

The undersea cables and pipelines that traverse one of Europe’s busiest shipping lanes connect Nordic, Baltic, and central European nations. These infrastructures are vital for promoting trade and energy security, and they also help reduce dependence on Russian energy resources.

Earlier this year, Finnish authorities charged the captain and two senior officers of a Russia-linked vessel responsible for damaging undersea cables between Finland and Estonia on Christmas Day in 2024. The Finnish deputy prosecutor general announced in August that charges of aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference with communications were filed against the crew, whose identities were not disclosed. They have denied the allegations.

The Kremlin has previously denied any involvement in damaging infrastructure that provides power and communication to thousands of Europeans. The Eagle S, another vessel flagged in the Cook Islands, has been described by Finnish customs officials and the European Union’s executive commission as part of Russia’s shadow fleet, which consists of aging vessels with obscure ownership aimed at evading Western sanctions amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

For Western nations, such incidents are perceived as part of a broader pattern of sabotage attacks allegedly linked to Moscow following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

In a related development, Estonian authorities are collaborating with Finnish officials to determine whether to initiate a separate criminal case or proceed with a joint prosecution regarding the Elisa incident. Fortunately, Elisa has reported that its services remain unaffected by the damage.

Additionally, another undersea cable owned by Swedish telecommunications provider Arelion was also damaged early Wednesday. It remains unclear whether this incident is connected to the damage sustained by Elisa’s cable. Martin Sjögren, an Arelion spokesperson, confirmed the damage and stated that they are actively working with authorities in Sweden and other countries to investigate the cause of the cuts.

Repair work is anticipated to commence as soon as weather conditions improve. Sjögren noted that the majority of the company’s customers have not been impacted by the damage.

Photograph: The seized vessel Fitburg rests in the harbour in Kirkkonummi, Finland, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (Roni Rekomaa/Lehtikuva via AP)

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