Finland detained the freighter 'Fitburg' on suspicion of damaging an undersea communication cable between Helsinki and Tallinn on December 31, 2025, arresting 14 crew members.

On December 31, 2025, Finland's coast guard detained the freighter 'Fitburg', flying the flag of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, in the Finnish economic zone of the Gulf of Finland after damage was found on an undersea telecommunications cable between Helsinki and Tallinn. The vessel was found with its anchor chain lowered, suspected of causing the damage in Estonian waters. Fourteen crew members of Russian, Georgian, Azerbaijani, and Kazakh nationalities were arrested. Finnish authorities are investigating the incident as severe property damage, attempted severe property damage, and serious disruption of telecommunications. Finnish President Alexander Stubb affirmed close government monitoring and preparedness for security challenges. The incident recalls similar sabotage events in late 2024 involving the tanker 'Eagle S', linked to Russia's shadow fleet used for sanctions evasion. Despite the damage, data transmission was unaffected due to redundant cables. Estonian officials stated initial assessments indicate the involved vessel is not part of Russia's shadow fleet. The incident underscores ongoing hybrid warfare threats targeting critical Baltic infrastructure.