Estonia Begins Naval Patrols to Protect Power Cables with Finland

Tallinn, Estonia – Estonia has launched naval patrols to safeguard the undersea Estlink 1 power cable supplying electricity from Finland, following suspected sabotage of another cable on Christmas Day, Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur announced Friday.

“We’ve decided to send our navy close to Estlink 1 to defend and secure our energy connection with Finland,” Pevkur posted on X.

The move aims to send a clear message that Estonia is prepared to protect its energy links with both military and non-military measures. Coordination with Finland and NATO is ongoing, Pevkur added.

Recent Incidents Raise Concerns

The decision follows the disconnection of the Estlink 2 submarine cable from the grid on Wednesday. This comes just weeks after two telecommunications cables were severed in Swedish waters in the Baltic Sea, fueling concerns over the security of critical undersea infrastructure.

Finnish authorities are investigating an oil tanker, the Eagle S, which sailed from a Russian port, over its possible role in damaging the power cable. The vessel, flagged under the Cook Islands, was headed to Port Said, Egypt, carrying unleaded petrol believed to be part of Russia’s shadow fleet.

The shadow fleet transports embargoed Russian crude and oil products in defiance of sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Police suspect the tanker’s anchor might have damaged the cable, an action Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna suggested was unlikely to be accidental.

“The damages to critical underwater infrastructure have become so frequent that it’s hard to believe they are accidents or just bad maritime maneuvers,” Tsahkna said.

Strengthening Defenses

The heightened patrols near Estlink 1 underscore Estonia’s commitment to protecting its energy infrastructure amid rising tensions in the Baltic region. The incidents also spotlight vulnerabilities in undersea networks, crucial for electricity and data transmission.

Authorities are urging vigilance and international cooperation to prevent further disruptions.