Finland charges captain of Russian ‘shadow fleet’ ship over cable cutting

Finland on Monday became the first Nato country to bring charges against the captain and crew of a Russian “shadow fleet” vessel that had severed underwater cables in the Baltic Sea. 

In a rare move, the Finnish coastguard in December 2024 boarded and seized the Eagle S oil tanker after the vessel dragged its anchor through the Baltic Sea for almost 100km, cutting five electricity and telecommunications cables.

The captain, first and second officers, who were first arrested and then set free provided they did not leave Finland, have now been charged with aggravated vandalism and aggravated interference with telecommunications. Their trial could start in the next few weeks and they face a maximum prison sentence of 13 years.

Read more: Financial Times