THIS is the moment cops storm a Russian oil tanker filled with “spy gear” that is suspected of cutting a deep sea cable.
Bombshell images show the Finnish law enforcement boarding the ship via chopper as Nato begins to boost patrols.
The moment Finnish police seize the Russian-linked shadow fleet tanker Eagle S[/caption]
The moment Finnish police seize the Russian-linked shadow fleet tanker[/caption]
The EstLink 2 power cable[/caption]
FINNISH cops and border guards boarded a Russian-linked ship that was reportedly filled with “spy equipment”.
It is also suspected of vandalising a key undersea cable.
Authorities believe the oil tanker Eagle S of dragging its anchor to rupture of the Estlink 2 power link between Finland and Estonia.
In response, Nato is desperately boosting patrols in the Gulf of Finland – largely used by Russian naval and commercial shipping.
The Cook Islands-registered 751ft long Eagle S is suspected of being part of the Russian “shadow” or “dark” fleet – operated by mad Vlad to avoid sanctions.
While it may have initially looked to be an oil tanker in poor condition, sources said it was acting as a “spy ship” for Russia.
It unbelievably contained high-tech equipment for radio reconnaissance of Nato ships and even an aircraft on board.
The ship is now detained by the Finns as suspicions loom that it was behind the recent damage to key undersea cables in the Baltic Sea to disrupt Nato states backing Ukraine in the war.
The Eagle S has dropped “sensors-type devices” previously in the English Channel during a transit, Brit-owned shipping publication Lloyd’s List claims.
An unauthorised person who was “not a seafarer” has previously been spotted on board – potentially a spy.
While it’s not clear if the mysterious equipment was in operation on the latest voyage the vessel took, it was present in recent months, a source told the publication.
Finnish president Alexander Stubb said: “We have agreed with Estonia, and we have also communicated to NATO secretary general Mark Rutte, that our wish is to have a stronger NATO presence.”
And Rutt said: “NATO will enhance its military presence in the Baltic Sea.”
German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock warned: “Almost every month, ships are currently damaging important undersea cables in the Baltic Sea.
“Ship crews lower anchors into the water, drag them for kilometres across the seabed for no apparent reason and then lose them when they pull them up.
She said: ”This is an urgent wake-up call for all of us.
In a digitalized world, undersea cables are the communication arteries that hold our world together.”
Baerbock warned that the “decrepit Russian shadow fleet” poses a serious threat to both the environment and European security.
“It is used by Russia to finance its illegal war of aggression in Ukraine.”
The Eagle S is a crude oil tanker built in 2006, has a deadweight tonnage of approximately 74,035 tonnes.
What’s more, another vessel, dubbed the Honduras-flagged Swiftsea Rider, had similar equipment installed, reports claim.
It is suspected of cutting the EstLink 2 power cable between NATO states Finland and Estonia[/caption]
Eagle S crude oil tanker sailing under the flag of the Cook Islands was seen in the proximity of the incident that led to EstLink 2 power cable cut[/caption]
The EstLink 2 power cable was cut[/caption]