The trial of the Eagle S crew in connection with cable breakage in the Baltic Sea has begun in Finland.

The captain and two officers of the Eagle S oil tanker, who allegedly intentionally dragged an anchor across the bottom of the Baltic Sea by cutting the EstLink 2 power cable connecting Finland and Estonia and four Internet lines, have appeared in court. This was reported by the Reuters news agency on August 25.

"The Finnish prosecutor's office is seeking 2.5 years in prison for the Georgian tanker captain David Vadachkoria, as well as for the Indian first and second mates of the captain for a serious crime," the article says.

In addition, the prosecutor's office says that the damage has created serious risks for energy supply and telecommunications in Finland, and the repair costs amount to at least €60 million.

The lawyer of the ship's captain, Tommy Heinonen, in turn, called the damage to the cables a "maritime incident." According to the defense, the incident was not committed intentionally.

According to the publication, the captain and two officers could face up to 10 years in prison.

Cable weapons: the West is looking for reasons to confront Russia in the Baltics

How NATO countries can exploit incidents involving damaged undersea fiber optic communication lines

The emergency shutdown of the EstLink 2 DC cable between Estonia and Finland occurred on December 25, 2024. On suspicion of the incident, the Finnish police stopped the Eagle S tanker flying the flag of the Cook Islands. As a precaution against disrupting the investigation, seven crew members were banned from leaving the country, and the eighth was later banned.

Later, on March 31, 2025, The Wall Street Journal reported that an investigation into cable damage in the Baltic Sea revealed no evidence of alleged Russian involvement in these incidents.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.