According to Finnish police, the anchor of the vessel suspected of damaging the undersea cable was dragged along the seabed for a significant distance before impact. The cargo ship, the Fitburg, was detained on December 31, 2025, while en route from St. Petersburg to Haifa, Israel, due to the incident. Finnish authorities have initiated an investigation into the matter, citing charges of aggravated criminal damage and interference with telecommunications. Many speculate the damage is part of a hybrid war waged by Russia.
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A subsea fiber optic cable connecting Cape Breton Island and Newfoundland was deliberately cut for the second time in December 2024, requiring extensive repairs by a specialized ship. Bell, the cable’s owner, suspects an anchor or fishing gear was used to bring the cable to the surface before it was intentionally severed. The company is cooperating with the RCMP investigation and exploring preventative measures, including burying the cable and employing satellite surveillance. While the RCMP lacks sufficient evidence for the first incident, the investigation into the second continues.
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A Chinese-crewed cargo ship, the Hongtai, was detained by Taiwanese authorities following the severing of a subsea telecom cable near Penghu. The Togolese-registered vessel, operating under a flag of convenience and with Chinese funding, was intercepted and escorted to Taiwan for investigation. While the cause remains undetermined, the incident is being treated as a potential national security matter, with the possibility of intentional sabotage under consideration. The crew is currently being questioned, and the investigation is ongoing.
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Finnish investigators have linked the seized tanker Eagle S to damage inflicted upon subsea power and data cables. A seabed drag mark, stretching dozens of kilometers, has been traced to the vessel’s anchor, which is missing. The damaged 170-kilometer power cable connecting Finland and Estonia, severed on December 25th, is the focus of the investigation, alongside disruptions to four data cables. The Eagle S, detained for possible aggravated criminal mischief, is currently anchored near Kilpilahti port while poor weather conditions hinder further investigation.
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John Q. Hosedrinker