Finnish prosecutors charge Russian captain with cable sabotage

Finnish prosecutors have indicted a Russian captain and an Azerbaijani crew member in connection with the sabotage of undersea communication cables in the Gulf of Finland. The charges, announced Monday, target individuals aboard the ship "Fitburg" following an incident on New Year's Eve 2025.

The Russian captain is suspected of deliberately dragging the ship's anchor along the seabed for at least 130 kilometers, causing damage to two vital data communication cables. Authorities also suspect the two individuals attempted to damage eight additional underwater connections. The "Fitburg," which was sailing under the flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, was initially seized by Finnish authorities but was later released after investigations concluded on January 12.

Both individuals face charges of "gross sabotage" and "gross disruption of postal and telecommunications traffic." The indictment comes at a time of heightened alert in the Baltic Sea region. Since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, there has been a series of damaging incidents affecting power cables, telecommunication lines, and gas pipelines.

In response to these security concerns, NATO has increased its military presence in the area, deploying frigates, aircraft, and maritime drones. The Finnish investigation underscores the vulnerability of critical undersea infrastructure and the potential for deliberate disruption in a geopolitically sensitive region.