Finnish Police Investigate Anchor Dragging Incident Linking Russian Vessel to Undersea Cable Damage

An anchor from a ship that damaged an underwater cable connecting Helsinki with the Estonian capital, Tallinn, was dragged along the seabed for «at least several tens of kilometres» prior to its impact, according to Finnish police on Sunday.

On December 31, 2025, authorities apprehended the Fitburg, a 132-meter cargo vessel traveling from St. Petersburg to Haifa, Israel, amid suspicions that its anchor had caused damage to the subsea cable in the Gulf of Finland.

Finnish officials have initiated an investigation into charges of «aggravated criminal damage, attempted aggravated criminal damage, and aggravated interference with telecommunications.»

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, numerous experts and political figures have interpreted the alleged sabotage of the cable as indicative of a «hybrid war» waged by Russia against Western nations.

«There are grounds to believe that the anchor and chain of the Fitburg have been dragged along the sea floor for at least several tens of kilometers before reaching the damaged section,» police stated in a report.

A Helsinki court has ordered the detention of one Azerbaijani national for one week, according to lead investigator Kimmo Huhta-aho, who addressed the media following the court session. The ship’s 14 crew members hail from Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan.

Additionally, three crew members, including one Russian national, have been placed under travel restrictions.

The cable, situated within Estonia’s exclusive economic zone, is owned by Finnish telecom company Elisa.

In recent years, energy and communication infrastructures, such as underwater cables and pipelines, in the Baltic Sea have suffered damage, raising concerns about potential Russian involvement.