In response to recent incidents involving damage to critically important underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, NATO plans to increase its presence in the region's waters, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Mihal said during a press conference in Tallinn on Thursday.
"The exact steps will not be disclosed until they are taken," Mihal stated, expressing satisfaction with Finland's actions in detaining the Cook Islands-registered tanker Eagle S, which is suspected of damaging the Estonian-Finnish Est Link 2 power cable. According to Finnish customs, the tanker belongs to Russia's "shadow fleet."
The incident unfolded on December 25 when Estonian electricity and gas network operator Elering reported an emergency shutdown of the EstLink 2 direct current cable between Estonia and Finland. The following day, Finland detained the Eagle S oil tanker under the flag of the Cook Islands on suspicion of causing the damage. A pre-trial investigation, led by the Helsinki Police Department, has been initiated.