EU preparing sanctions against Russia's shadow fleet over Baltic Sea cable damage
Photo: Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (Getty Images)
Amid recent damage to electrical cables in the Baltic Sea, the European Union plans to impose sanctions on Russia's so-called shadow fleet. Additionally, security measures around Europe's critical infrastructure will be strengthened, according to Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
A joint statement from the European Commission and the High Representative on the investigation into the damage to power and data transmission cables in the Baltic Sea indicates that the December 25 incident is "the latest in a series of likely attacks on critical infrastructure."
"We commend the Finnish authorities for their swift action in boarding the suspected vessel," Kallas said.
The head of European diplomacy also noted that the EU is working with Finnish authorities on the investigation.
She added that the European Commission is fully in solidarity with Finland, Estonia, and Germany.
"We strongly condemn any deliberate destruction of Europe’s critical infrastructure. The suspected vessel is part of Russia’s shadow fleet, which threatens security and the environment while funding Russia’s war budget. We will propose further measures, including sanctions, to target this fleet," Kallas said in the statement.
She also pointed out that Europe is enhancing measures to protect underwater cables in response to these incidents in the Baltic Sea. These include "enhanced information exchange, new detection technologies, as well as in undersea repair capabilities, and international cooperation."
"We remain committed to ensuring the resilience and security of our critical infrastructure. At present, there is no risk to the security of electricity supply in the region," Kallas emphasized.
Cable outage in the Baltic Sea
On December 25, Finland reported damage to an underwater power cable connecting it to Estonia in the Baltic Sea. Finnish national electricity grid operator Fingrid revealed that the Estlink 2 cable, which links Finland and Estonia, was damaged.
It later emerged that two communication cables belonging to Elisa Group and one from CITIC Telecom were also affected.
On December 26, Prime Minister of Estonia Kristen Michal said the country plans to strengthen protection for critical infrastructure after the incident with the cable in the Gulf of Finland (a bay in the eastern Baltic Sea bordering Finland, Estonia, and Russia). NATO allies may be involved in these efforts.
The Finnish authorities have not ruled out the possibility of deliberate damage to the underwater power line. Two vessels were recorded in the area where the cable was damaged at the time of the communication breakdown.
On December 26, media reports indicated that Finnish authorities were investigating a possible Russian shadow tanker involved in the incident.
Additionally, Finnish President Alexander Stubb called on the world to counter the risks posed by Russia’s shadow fleet vessels.
Later on Thursday, it was reported that Finnish police conducted a special operation on a Russian shadow tanker suspected of being involved in this act of sabotage.
