Finland is looking for an anchor from a tanker with Russian gasoline: there is a trace on the bottom, but there is no anchor

Finnish police continue to investigate the rupture of the EstLink 2 power cable in the Baltic Sea between Finland and Estonia. Patrol ships are trying to find an anchor with which a tanker with Russian gasoline could catch on the power cable. But so far only a trace has been found.

"The investigation into the events in the Gulf of Finland is still at an early stage. The police, together with other authorities, are continuing to investigate the events," the Finnish police said.

According to AIS vessels, the patrol ship "Turva" makes passages in the Baltic Sea at the anchorage site in neutral waters, where the cable runs and international shipping is carried out. The Eagle S tanker also passed there.

"Bad weather has also become a problem for the patrol ship Turva and underwater operations conducted by NBI investigators. Underwater work had to be stopped," the police explained.

Chief Inspector Sami Paila said that the underwater work made it possible to determine the trace of the anchor dragging on the seabed from beginning to end.

"The length of the route is tens of kilometers. At the moment, the possible place where the anchor broke off has not been established," the inspector added.

Also, the police continue to investigate on board the Eagle S tanker itself, which carries unleaded gasoline from Russia. On Saturday, he was transferred to the Svartbek oil terminal.

"Work continues on board the Eagle S tanker. However, bad weather conditions at the anchorage today made it difficult to carry out work. A technical investigation is being carried out on board, and the main focus is currently on interrogating the crew," the police added.

As EADaily reported, on the afternoon of December 25, Finland announced the breakage of the EstLink 2 power cable, which connects Finland and Estonia. Suspicion fell on the Eagle S tanker, which transports unleaded gasoline from Russia to Asia or Europe — the ship was heading for the Suez Canal. During the rupture, the tanker could pass directly over the power cable.

In the evening, the vessel changed its route and turned into Finnish territorial waters. The next day, Finland announced the detention of the vessel. Investigators believe that the tanker could have hooked the anchor of the power cable and four more communication cables. So far, this is speculation, since Finland has not reported on the discovery of a break point and its investigation. But a criminal case has already been opened for vandalism with aggravating consequences.

Eagle S tanker is owned by a company from the UAE and operated by an operator from India. In the West, the vessel is referred to as a tanker of Russia's shadow fleet, which helps Russian manufacturers circumvent Western sanctions restrictions. In selected countries The EU is required to fight the shadow fleet and confiscate cargo in order to reduce Russia's revenues. Which, however, is extremely problematic, since international law clearly establishes the rules for freedom of navigation — in neutral waters.