UPDATE: Early on New Year’s Eve, Finnish authorities have detained crew members from the cargo ship Fitburg after a critical undersea internet cable was severed in the Gulf of Finland. Just before 5:00 a.m., technicians from Finnish telecom company Elisa detected a significant fault in the cable linking Helsinki to Estonia, disrupting vital internet services.
In a swift response, the Finnish Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter and the patrol ship Turva to the scene. They found the 132-meter Fitburg allegedly dragging its anchor over the cable site. The ship, en route from St. Petersburg to Israel, was halted and escorted to the Port of Kantvik, where authorities took control of the vessel.
The situation escalated further as two crew members—a Russian and an Azerbaijani national—were formally arrested, while two others are under a travel ban. Police Chief Ilkka Koskimäki stated that an investigation into “aggravated sabotage” is underway, though he refrained from assigning blame to any nation as of yet.
Estonia’s Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs confirmed that while connections remain stable via alternative cables, Elisa has reported limitations in specific services. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, stressing the importance of maintaining communication networks.
Adding to the intrigue, Customs officers discovered that the Fitburg was carrying sanctioned Russian steel, illegal under EU trade rules. This revelation raises questions about the ship’s operations and potential connections to broader geopolitical tensions.
Moreover, a second cable owned by Arelion was also severed on the same day, intensifying worries about potential hybrid warfare—covert attacks targeting critical infrastructure. Finnish MP Jarno Limnell remarked that these cables have become the new “front line” in national security.
In light of these events, Finnish President Alexander Stubb assured citizens that the country is prepared for such security challenges. Investigators are currently employing underwater robots to assess the seabed, seeking to determine if the anchor was dropped accidentally or if there was a deliberate intent to disrupt connectivity in the region.
This is a developing story, and authorities advise the public to stay informed as more updates are expected to emerge. Share this urgent news to keep others aware of the unfolding situation.
