Defense Investigation : Russia-linked Tanker Seized by Finland Exposed as High-tech Spy Vessel.

According to information published by Michelle Wiese Bockmann on December 27, 2024, Finnish authorities have seized a Russian-linked tanker, Eagle S, suspected of damaging an underwater electricity cable on Christmas Day. Revelations have emerged that the vessel was equipped with advanced surveillance equipment, allowing it to act as a sophisticated espionage platform targeting NATO naval and aircraft activities.
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Finland seizes Russian-linked tanker Eagle S, revealed to be a covert spy vessel equipped with advanced surveillance systems, amid rising tensions in the Baltic Sea over critical infrastructure sabotage. (Picture source: Finnish Coast Guard)

According to sources familiar with the tanker, Eagle S was outfitted with transmitting and receiving devices atypical for commercial vessels. This equipment, reportedly brought aboard in large portable suitcases, was used to monitor radio frequencies, record NATO communications, and transmit collected data to Russian authorities. Similar systems were installed on the Swiftsea Rider, another tanker linked to the same shadowy ownership network.

The Eagle S is accused of dragging its anchor over the Estlink 2 undersea cable, disrupting electricity supply between Finland and Estonia on December 25. Finnish investigators allege the ship slowed intentionally during the incident, damaging three additional cables in the process.

This marks the second major disruption to critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea in two months. In November, the China-flagged bulk carrier Yi Peng 3 was suspected of damaging the C-Lion 1 communication cable between Finland and Germany.

Eagle S and Swiftsea Rider are part of a clandestine "dark fleet" of 26 aging tankers linked to Russia. These vessels operate under opaque ownership structures and employ methods designed to circumvent international sanctions. Both tankers are linked to Eiger Shipping, the maritime arm of Litasco, a Russian oil trading company. Ownership details are obscured by complex corporate arrangements, with the registered owner of Eagle S using a Dubai address associated with a luxury hotel.

The Eagle S is flagged in the Cook Islands, while the Swiftsea Rider sails under the Honduras flag. Both tankers have been criticized for poor maintenance and safety standards, with a history of regulatory violations. Reports indicate that during a Danish inspection in June, numerous deficiencies were identified on the Eagle S, including blackouts caused by the high power demand of the surveillance equipment.

The surveillance setup on Eagle S was reportedly operated by Russian, Turkish, and Indian personnel. Devices on the ship’s bridge and “monkey island” (its highest deck) recorded and matched NATO radio frequencies, which were later analyzed in Russia. During one transit through the English Channel, the vessel is alleged to have deployed sensor-like devices, further fueling concerns of espionage.

The seizure of Eagle S and its exposure as a spy ship marks an escalation in the use of commercial shipping for state-sponsored espionage. With critical undersea cables increasingly targeted, NATO allies may face heightened challenges in safeguarding their maritime and cyber infrastructure.