Captured Russian tanker was loaded with spy equipment (illustrative photo)
The Russian Eagle S tanker suspected of damaging an undersea power cable in the Baltic Sea was previously equipped to monitor NATO forces, British media have claimed. Sources said the tanker was scheduled to drop “sensor-like equipment” into the English Channel. In addition, spy equipment was to be installed on yet another ship.
The Eagle S, a tanker belonging to Russia's shadow fleet that is suspected of damaging undersea power cables in the Gulf of Finland, was previously equipped to spy on NATO ships and aircraft, the British government said. Maritime newspaper Lloyd's List reported this, citing people involved.
The paper's source, who requested anonymity, was working on the Eagle S this summer, when the tanker was experiencing power problems due to its sophisticated equipment connections, which was unusual for a commercial ship.
Russian tanker equipped with spy equipment. “Numerous acts of misconduct”
Officials said a “huge suitcase” and a laptop with keyboards in Russian and Turkish were brought on board. The device was to be used to monitor maritime and air traffic in NATO countries. Similar spying equipment was also allegedly installed on the Swift Sea Rider, another tanker in Russia's shadow fleet flying the Honduran flag.
See also: Cable broken on the ocean floor in the Baltic Sea. “The authorities never sleep”
Officials said the tanker Eagle S was scheduled to drop a “sensor-like device” into the waters of the English Channel.
Lloyd's List wrote in June that it received 60 documents from inspections of the Eagle S ship, which revealed numerous safety issues, including maintenance. It was confirmed that a person who was not a crew member was on board.
Eagle S ship damaged cable in Baltic Sea. Police questioned the crew
The Cook Islands-flagged Eagle S ship was captured by the Finnish military and is currently in waters in the Gulf of Finland, about 15 kilometers from the Porkkala Peninsula west of Helsinki. It is suspected that the ship's anchor may have damaged Estlink 2's power cables on Christmas Day.
See also: Russia's 'shadow fleet' in EC's crosshairs. More incidents occur at the bottom of the Baltic Sea
On Friday, Finnish police were securing evidence aboard the ship and questioning about 20 crew members, mostly Georgian and Indian nationals. Customs officials seized 35,000 items shipped by tanker from Russia. Lots of unleaded gasoline.
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