The European Union today warned of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” and said it would take stronger action after suspected sabotage of a submarine cable off the coast of Finland.

The EU “will take stronger action to address risks that these ships pose,” EU foreign policy chief Kaya Kalas said in an interview published today by Die Welt.

“Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ threatens the environment and finances Russia’s war budget,” said Callas, adding that the ships are suspected of carrying out acts of sabotage.

The Estlink 2 undersea energy cable between Estonia and Finland was cut on Wednesday and Finnish authorities suspect it may be an act of sabotage.

Finnish authorities subsequently detained the Cook Islands-flagged oil tanker Eagle S, whose anchor is believed to have caused the cable damage.

According to the EU, the ship may be part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” Russia – tankers and other cargo ships that Russia unofficially uses to circumvent sanctions on oil transport.

Kalas, Estonia’s former prime minister, said sabotage in Europe has increased since Russia began its war against Ukraine in February 2022.

“Recent sabotage attempts in the Baltic Sea are not isolated incidents; they create a deliberate pattern aimed at damaging our digital and energy infrastructure,” Kalas added.

On Saturday, German Foreign Minister Analena Berbock had already sounded the alarm about Russia’s “shadow fleet” and called for further European sanctions. Burbock warned that the “wrecked Russian shadow fleet” poses a serious threat to both the environment and European security.

“Almost every month, ships are currently damaging important undersea cables in the Baltic Sea,” Burbock said.