Police Investigate Damage to Telecommunications Cable in Gulf of Finland

Early on 31 December 2025, Elisa detected a fault in its telecommunications cable between Helsinki and Tallinn, located within Estonia's exclusive economic zone. The Finnish Border Guard identified and intercepted a vessel with a lowered anchor chain within Finland's exclusive economic zone suspected of causing the damage. The vessel was ordered to raise its anchor and move to a safe anchorage, subsequently taken under Finnish control. Investigation responsibility was transferred to the Helsinki Police Department. The police, in coordination with the National Prosecutor's Office and Prosecutor General, are investigating the event as aggravated criminal damage, attempted aggravated criminal damage, and aggravated interference with telecommunications. The investigation involves several authorities including the Finnish Defence Forces, Customs, Traficom, Tukes, and Finngrid. Further details are pending.