Finnish authorities have taken control of a vessel suspected of damaging a submarine telecommunications cable in the Gulf of Finland, escalating concerns over the security of critical regional infrastructure. Police confirmed on Wednesday that the damage was detected earlier the same day, prompting an immediate response from national security and maritime agencies.
According to an official police statement, the Finnish Border Guard identified the vessel, named Fitburg, as potentially linked to the incident. Shortly afterward, authorities seized the ship in a coordinated operation involving multiple agencies. Finnish public broadcaster YLE reported that the seizure followed a maritime interception conducted within Finland’s exclusive economic zone.
The Border Guard’s patrol vessel Turva, supported by a helicopter, encountered the ship during routine monitoring operations. Meanwhile, telecommunications company Elisa stated that the damaged cable itself is located in Estonia’s exclusive economic zone and connects Helsinki and Tallinn. As a result, the incident triggered swift cross-border coordination between Finnish and Estonian officials.
Regional leaders respond as cooperation deepens
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo confirmed that he discussed the situation with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, emphasizing close cooperation between the two countries. Orpo stated that authorities on both sides of the Gulf of Finland are working together to assess the situation and support the investigation.
Similarly, Estonian President Alar Karis expressed concern over the cable damage, noting that investigators will determine whether the incident occurred deliberately. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna also highlighted ongoing information sharing between Helsinki and Tallinn. He reassured the public that Estonia’s connectivity remains intact through alternative cables and that services continue without interruption.
Police have launched a criminal investigation on suspicion of aggravated damage, attempted aggravated damage, and aggravated interference with telecommunications. Authorities have coordinated with the Office of the Prosecutor General, which has issued the necessary authorisations to proceed.
During a press conference reported by Finnish news agency STT, officials confirmed that all 14 crew members aboard the Fitburg have been taken into police custody. The crew reportedly includes nationals from Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan.
The incident occurred in a strategically significant maritime corridor that hosts vital energy and data connections linking Nordic and Baltic states. In recent years, repeated disruptions to undersea cables have kept regional governments on heightened alert. Consequently, this latest case has renewed concerns about the resilience and protection of critical communication infrastructure in northern Europe.
