Eagle S tanker to move to international waters under Border Guard's control

Swift action by the Finnish authorities prevented any additional damage from taking place in the Gulf of Finland. The criminal investigative measures concerning the cable damage have reached a stage where the authorities have been able to cancel the seizure. The Eagle S tanker will leave Finland's territorial waters and exclusive economic zone under the control of the Border Guard.

On 25 December 2024, Finland's transmission system operator Fingrid reported to the authorities that the Estlink 2 power cable between Finland and Estonia may have been damaged. The Border Guard took immediate action to investigate possible damage to critical infrastructure.

Because of a criminal suspicion involved in the matter, the police took over leadership on 25 December at 18.40. The National Police Commissioner ordered the Helsinki Police Department to assume the leadership of the special situation. The National Bureau of Investigation was responsible for the criminal investigation from the beginning.

The Border Guard and the Defence Forces provided helicopters for the field operation led by the Helsinki Police. The police special intervention unit Karhu and the special intervention unit of the Border Guard roped down from helicopters to take control of the tanker on the night between 25 and 26 December. 

Criminal investigation into cable damage has progressed

As the criminal investigation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation, including the forensic investigation on board Eagle S, has progressed, there are no longer grounds for continuing the seizure of the tanker. Therefore, the seizure was cancelled on Friday 28 February 2025. As far as the criminal investigation is concerned, the tanker is not prevented from continuing its passage to leave Finland's territorial waters.

The coercive measures taken on the tanker's crew are considered separately. On the basis of the criminal investigation, eight persons are suspected of an offence. Three persons are currently subjected to a travel ban. For five persons, the travel ban was cancelled this week. Those subjected to a travel ban may not leave the country. Their representatives in their home countries have been kept up to date.

“Swift initial action ensured that criminal investigative measures could be immediately started and carried out. In such incidents, a criminal investigation is a good way to establish what actually happened,” says Director of National Bureau of Investigation Robin Lardot.

The criminal investigation continues with further interviews of the crew and the examination of the material gathered. 

The suspected offences under investigation are an aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference with communications. The aim is to conclude the criminal investigation by the end of April.

Operation showed readiness and effective cooperation of Finnish authorities 

With their capabilities, the Border Guard and the Defence Forces provided the police with significant assistance on sea and air throughout the operation. Other key actors during the operation comprise Finnish Customs and the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom). 

The anchor of the Eagle S tanker was lifted from the seabed in a joint operation between the authorities on 6 January 2025. The Border Guard and the Finnish and Swedish Navies assisted the police in the lifting.  

“The Finnish authorities took swift action and prevented any additional damage from taking place in the Gulf of Finland. The preparedness of Finnish authorities to cooperate is unique internationally. We are strong together,” says Police Chief Jari Liukku of the Helsinki Police Department.

The deficiencies detected in Traficom’s port state control inspection of Eagle S have now been rectified, and Traficom has released the ship from detention.

“Our inspectors have visited on board the ship and concluded that the deficiencies that led to the detention of the ship and the other deficiencies detected during port state control have been rectified. Therefore, Traficom has released Eagle S. Cooperation with the ship’s flag State, crew and classification society has been excellent,” says Sanna Sonninen, Maritime Director at Traficom.

Finnish Customs has detained the cargo of Eagle S to control and determine that the criteria for its import, export, transfer and transit are fulfilled.

"Customs has established that the unleaded petrol and diesel carried by the tanker are classified as goods subject to sanctions against Russia, but the import, transfer or transit does not comply with the Sectoral Sanctions Regulation. According to the information received, the cargo will be transferred from the territory of the European Union with the tanker. The detention of the cargo will lapse once the cargo has left the country," says Head of Enforcement Petri Lounatmaa of Finnish Customs.

Eagle S will leave Finland's territorial waters and exclusive economic zone under the control of the Border Guard's patrol vessel.

The operation led by the Helsinki Police will end once the Eagle S tanker has moved to international waters. After that the authorities will continue their normal duties and release information about their respective areas of responsibility themselves.