“Elisa” security manager Jāko Vallenius confirmed that the repair of both cables was completed on Monday.
He added that the damage looked like it was caused by an anchor.
There have already been suspicions that the Russian “shadow fleet” tanker “Eagle S” is connected to sabotage in the Baltic Sea, damaging the electrical cable connecting Estonia and Finland “EstLink 2” and four more communication cables in the Gulf of Finland on December 25.
“There is clear evidence of the Eagle S being at the location” where the cables were damaged, Vallenius said, but stressed that law enforcement agencies would identify those responsible.
“Balticconnector” repairs could continue for several months.
Another one of the communication cables – the cable managed by the Finnish company “Cinia” between Finland and Germany – is planned to be repaired by January 10, “Cinia” informed.
Its operator – the Chinese company CITIC – has not provided information about the fourth cable damaged in the incident between Tallinn and Helsinki.
The Eagle S, which flies the flag of the Cook Islands, is one of the vessels of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, which is used in efforts to circumvent sanctions. It is suspected of damaging the underwater electric cable “EstLink 2” connecting Finland and Estonia on Christmas Day. Four communication cables in the Gulf of Finland were damaged at the same time.
The Eagle S was detained and escorted to the port of Kilpilahti, 40 kilometers east of Helsinki, where investigators are examining the vessel and questioning about 20 crew members.
The eight sailors suspected of involvement in this sabotage are banned from leaving Finland.