Finland arrests two over undersea cable damage, raising global security concerns

Finnish authorities have arrested two people in connection with damage to a critical undersea telecommunications cable in the Gulf of Finland between Finland and Estonia, renewing concerns over the security of infrastructure that carries most of the world’s internet and data traffic.

The damage was detected early Wednesday in Estonia’s exclusive economic zone . The cable, owned by Finnish telecom operator Elisa, is classified as critical underwater infrastructure and forms part of a global network through which over 95 per cent of international internet traffic flows .

Helsinki police said they have launched an investigation into aggravated criminal damage and interference with telecommunications . Two additional individuals have been placed under travel bans.

The vessel under scrutiny, Fitburg , flagged in St Vincent and the Grenadines, was travelling from Russia to Israel . All 14 crew members nationals of Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have been detained for questioning. Authorities have not disclosed the identities or nationalities of those arrested.

Finnish National Police Commissioner Ilkka Koskimäki said the ship had been dragging its anchor for several hours , but stressed that investigators are not speculating on state-level involvement .

Finnish Customs said it discovered Russian-origin steel cargo under EU sanctions aboard the vessel and is examining whether sanctions laws were violated.

Although major internet disruptions were avoided due to backup systems, officials said damage to undersea cables poses serious risks to global communications, financial networks and national security .

The incident follows similar cases in the Baltic region, including a 2024 cable damage case involving a Russia-linked vessel , for which criminal charges were later filed. While the Kremlin has denied involvement in past incidents, Western nations see such cases as part of broader concerns over the protection of critical infrastructure amid heightened geopolitical tensions since the Ukraine war.