Eagle S tanker anchor damages Estlink 2 and telecom cables

On 25 December 2024, the anchor of the tanker Eagle S damaged the Estlink 2 power cable and several telecom cables in the Gulf of Finland. Finnish prosecutors charged the captain and two chief officers with aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference with telecommunications. Russian state responsibility for the damage has not been established; the link to Russia is the vessel's listing by the EU as part of Russia's 'shadow fleet'.

Established by. Finnish police and prosecutors (charges, Aug 2025). The Helsinki District Court dismissed the case for lack of jurisdiction (Oct 2025). The EU Council listed Eagle S under the 17th sanctions package (May 2025) as a shadow-fleet vessel, without attributing the cable damage.

Latest. On 27 Aug 2026, the Helsinki Court of Appeal overturned the dismissal, ruled that Finland has jurisdiction, and returned the case to the District Court. A Supreme Court appeal is possible, but only with leave.

Link to the war against Ukraine. The EU lists Eagle S as part of the shadow fleet that carries Russian oil and funds the war against Ukraine.