Copyright © 2024 Euromaidanpress.com

The work of Euromaidan Press is supported by the International Renaissance Foundation

When referencing our materials, please include an active hyperlink to the Euromaidan Press material and a maximum 500-character extract of the story. To reprint anything longer, written permission must be acquired from [email protected].

Privacy and Cookie Policies.

German FM calls for more Russian shadow fleet sanctions after Baltic cable damage

Germany’s top diplomat warns of systematic threats to critical undersea infrastructure, pushing for expanded protective measures and sanctions.
german fm calls more russian shadow fleet sanctions after baltic cable damage foreign minister annalena baerbock 407976061_1735320445_v16_9_1200 has called new against russia's following latest incident involving undersea infrastructure sea waz
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. Photo: dpa
German FM calls for more Russian shadow fleet sanctions after Baltic cable damage

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has called for new sanctions against Russia’s shadow fleet following the latest incident involving damage to undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, WAZ reports.

The Russian shadow fleet, created to bypass EU and G7 sanctions, comprises mostly aging tankers and cargo vessels. Russia uses these ships to deliver oil to customers like India and employs gray schemes, such as transferring oil between tankers to obscure its origin.

Baerbock told the publication:

“Ships are currently damaging important undersea cables in the Baltic Sea almost monthly. It’s more than difficult to still believe in coincidences. This is an urgent wake-up call for all of us.” She emphasized that undersea cables are “the communication arteries that hold our world together.”

Finnish authorities have detained the oil tanker Eagle S, flying the Cook Islands flag, following its departure from Russia and damage to the Estlink 2 power cable connecting Estonia and Finland on Christmas Day while moving over the cable. Officials suspect sabotage, indicating the vessel’s one missing anchor may have caused the damage.

Russian shadow fleet’s tanker Eagle S, detained by the Finnish police. Photo: Mårten Lampén / Yle

Baltic Sea nations have been on high alert following multiple incidents involving power cables, gas pipelines, and telecommunications connections. In a related incident last month, Swedish investigators examined a Chinese vessel as part of their investigation into the severing of two fiber-optic cables in the Baltic Sea.

According to EU data, the vessel belongs to Russia’s shadow fleet, which Baerbock described as “a major threat to our environment and security.” The minister noted that over 50 ships had been subject to European sanctions by mid-December 2024, calling for “further EU sanctions against the shadow fleet.”

Baerbock warned that European security faces threats not only from Russia’s war in Ukraine but also from “hybrid threats by malicious actors.” She called for increased investment in national protection measures and enhanced NATO-EU cooperation.

“We are currently consulting with our NATO partners on how to better secure the Baltic Sea against hybrid threats,” she said.

Related:

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.  We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support. Become a Patron!

To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here

You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter

Please leave your suggestions or corrections here



    Euromaidan Press

    We are an independent media outlet that relies solely on advertising revenue to sustain itself. We do not endorse or promote any products or services for financial gain. Therefore, we kindly ask for your support by disabling your ad blocker. Your assistance helps us continue providing quality content. Thank you!

    Related Posts