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Estonia has announced the launch of a maritime operation to protect the important Estlink 1 submarine energy cable in the Baltic Sea. The country’s Foreign Minister Margus Tahkna confirmed that the operation was launched on the morning of 27 December after a threat to critical maritime infrastructure was detected. Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur noted that the operation is aimed at protecting the cable that provides energy interconnection between Estonia and Finland, TVP World reports.
This initiative was a response to an incident the day before, when Finnish border guards seized a vessel in the Baltic Sea suspected of participating in the bombing of the Estlink 2 submarine cable connecting Finland to Estonia. The vessel, registered in the Cook Islands under the name Eagle S, is believed to be part of a Russian “ghost fleet” that is trying to avoid sanctions by smuggling Russian oil.
Finland also claimed that four internet cables connecting the Baltic states to Europe had been damaged or hacked. In response to these threats, Estonia announced the launch of a naval operation to ensure the security of Estlink 1. The Minister of Defence of Estonia noted that the Estonian Navy ship Raju has already deployed to protect the cable.
Estonia and Finland have also asked NATO for support. The Estonian Minister of Defence proposed to work with Finland to protect critical infrastructure and called on military allies for operational assistance. In response, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reaffirmed the Alliance’s readiness to increase its military presence in the region and support the Baltic states.
These events take place against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the Baltic Sea, which has seen an increase in acts of sabotage on energy and telecommunications lines in recent years. Earlier, in 2022, explosions damaged the Nord Stream pipelines transporting Russian gas to Europe. The Baltic states are now actively working to ensure the security of their infrastructure in response to new threats.
