Finnish police have seized a ship suspected of damaging an underwater telecommunications cable between Helsinki and Tallinn. The vessel is believed to be responsible for harming the cable, which is owned by the telecoms group Elisa and lies within Estonia’s exclusive economic zone. Authorities have not released details about the ship’s identity.
The damage occurred in the Gulf of Finland, a part of the Baltic Sea bordered by Estonia, Finland, and Russia. Elisa, based in Helsinki, detected a fault in the cable early Wednesday and reported it to Finnish authorities. A border guard patrol vessel and helicopter located the suspect ship with its anchor lowered into the sea and ordered it to move and anchor in Finnish territorial waters.
Finnish police are investigating the incident as aggravated criminal damage, attempted aggravated criminal damage, and aggravated interference with telecommunications. They have contacted national and international authorities, including those in Estonia.
Energy and communications infrastructure, including underwater cables and pipelines, have been repeatedly damaged in the Baltic region. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, many experts and political leaders have viewed such suspected sabotage as part of a “hybrid war” waged by Moscow against Western countries.
In a statement on X on Wednesday, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb said, “Finland is prepared for security challenges of various kinds, and we respond to them as necessary.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the incident where Finnish authorities detained a ship suspected of damaging a subsea telecommunications cable
Basic Information The Incident
1 What happened
Finnish authorities have detained a cargo ship in the Baltic Sea on suspicion that its anchor damaged a subsea telecommunications cable and a natural gas pipeline in October 2023
2 Where did this happen
The incident occurred in Finlands economic zone in the Baltic Sea between Estonia and Finland in an area known as the Gulf of Finland
3 When did this happen
The damage to the cable and pipeline was detected on October 8 2023 The ship the Hong Kongflagged NewNew Polar Bear was detained in the Finnish port of Hanko on October 24 2023
4 Which ship was involved
The ship is the NewNew Polar Bear a Chineseowned Hong Kongflagged cargo vessel
5 What was damaged
Two pieces of critical infrastructure were damaged the Balticconnector and a subsea telecommunications cable owned by the Swedish telecom company Arelion
Investigation Motive
6 Why was the ship detained
Finnish police detained the ship as part of a criminal investigation into aggravated damage to critical infrastructure They suspect the ships anchor caused the damage either accidentally or intentionally
7 Was this an accident or sabotage
The investigation is ongoing Finnish authorities have stated the damage was likely caused by the ships anchor being dragged along the seabed They are investigating whether this was due to negligence a technical failure or a deliberate act The proximity of the damage to both the pipeline and cable has raised significant suspicion
8 Is there a suspected link to Russia
Given the geopolitical context this question has been widely asked Finnish officials have stated there is no evidence of statelevel involvement at this time but they are investigating all possibilities The ships route from St Petersburg Russia to Germany is a key part of the investigation
9 What evidence do authorities have
Authorities have pointed to a large heavy object found on the seabed near the damaged infrastructure They also have the
