The Finnish law enforcement is continuing its investigation into the suspected sabotage activities of telecommunication cables of the crew and vessel Fitburg, believed to be part of the Russian shadow fleet that tries to get goods in and out of Russia despite the EU and North American sanctions imposed on Moscow. The general cargo ship was seized by the Finnish authorities on 31 December and moved to the harbour of Kantvik, about 32 kilometres (20 miles) west of the centre of the Finnish capital of Helsinki.
On 3 January, the Finnish police confirmed that of the Fitburg’s crew of 14, three members are forbidden to travel and two have been arrested. One is a Russian national, the other an Azerbaijani. The police also confirmed that for the Azerbaijani, the police requested the court to place him in pre-trial detention. “For the purposes relating to the criminal investigation, it is not possible to provide further details regarding their rank,” a police statement reads.
Anchor scrapped data communications cable
Finnish authorities are holding the Fitburg and its crew for damages to a data communications cable between Helsinki in Finland and Tallinn in Estonia. The ship’s anchor scrapped the bottom of the sea, and hit the cable. The Finns believe this might have been done on purpose by the ship’s crew. Moreover, Finnish Customs confirmed on 1 January that the Fitburg was transporting steel products which are subject to the EU sanctions against Russia. The vessel left St. Petersburg and was on its way to Israel, according to the manifest of the Fitburg.
Not the first time
For the time being, the crew is accused of aggravated criminal damage, attempted aggravated criminal damage, and aggravated interference with telecommunications. It is not the first time, the Finns take in a merchant ship suspected of sabotage or espionage for Russia. | © 2026 Marcel Burger, nordicreporter.com. Press photo: the boarding of the Fitburg by Finnish law enforcement and the Finnish military (Press photo: Polisi (Finnish Police))