NATO will step up Baltic Sea patrols as Finland probes the possible sabotage of undersea cables

BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Friday that the military alliance will step up patrols in the Baltic Sea region as Finnish investigators work to establish whether a ship linked to Russia sabotaged undersea cables there this week.

Finnish authorities seized control of the ship, the Eagle S, on Thursday as they tried to establish whether it had damaged a power cable linking Finland and Estonia and several data cables. It was the latest in a string of incidents involving the disruption of key infrastructure in the region.

In a post on X, Rutte said that he had spoken to Finland’s President Alexander Stubb “about the ongoing Finnish-led investigation into possible sabotage of undersea cables.” Rutte said that “NATO will enhance its military presence in the Baltic Sea.”

Asked for details about what might be done and when, NATO headquarters would say only that the 32-country alliance “remains vigilant and is working to provide further support, including by enhancing our military presence” in the region.

Finland, which shares a 1,340-kilometer (832-mile) border with Russia, joined NATO in 2023, abandoning a decades-old policy of neutrality.

In October 2023, in response to similar incidents, NATO and its allies deployed more maritime patrol aircraft, long-distance radar planes and drones on surveillance and reconnaissance flights, while a fleet of minehunters was also dispatched to the region.

The Eagle S is flagged in the Cook Islands but has been described by Finnish customs officials and European Union officials as being part of Russia’s shadow fleet of tankers shipping oil and gas in defiance of international sanctions imposed over its war on Ukraine.

The aging vessels, often with obscure ownership, routinely operate without Western-regulated insurance. Russia’s use of the vessels has raised environmental concerns about accidents given their age and uncertain insurance coverage.

The Eagle S’s anchor is suspected of causing damage to the cable, Finland’s Yle state broadcaster has reported, relying on police statements. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was asked about the seizure on Friday but declined to comment.

After a high-level meeting about the incident, Stubb posted on X that “the situation is under control. We have no reason to be worried,” while adding that the investigation continues. He said that Finland and Estonia had requested extra NATO help.

He said new measures could include “inspections of the insurance certificates of vessels” in the region. Stubb added that “we are also looking at ways, based on international maritime law, to respond more effectively to similar incidents in the future.”

The Estlink-2 power cable, which takes electricity from Finland to Estonia across the Baltic Sea, went down on Wednesday but had little impact on services. The incident follows damage to two data cables and the Nord Stream gas pipelines, both of which have been termed sabotage.

Those data cables — one running between Finland and Germany and the other between Lithuania and Sweden — were severed in November. Germany’s defense minister said “sabotage” was the likely cause but he didn’t provide evidence or say who might have been responsible.

The Nord Stream pipelines that once brought natural gas from Russia to Germany were damaged by underwater explosions in September 2022. Authorities have said the cause was sabotage and launched criminal investigations.

NATO had already boosted patrols near undersea infrastructure after the Nord Stream pipeline was hit. Last year, it also set up a coordination cell to deepen ties between governments, armed forces, and the defense industry and better protect undersea installations.

Finnish National Police Comissioner Ilkka Koskim'ki attends a press conference in Helsinki, Finland, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, investigating the electricity transmission between Finland and Estonia through the Estlink 2 connection which was cut on Christmas Day, according to Finnish grid operator Fingrid. (Jussi Nukari/Lehtikuva via AP)

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo attends a press conference in Helsinki, Finland, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, as police investigating the electricity transmission between Finland and Estonia through the Estlink 2 connection which was cut on Christmas Day, according to Finnish grid operator Fingrid. (Jussi Nukari/Lehtikuva via AP)

This photo provided by Rajavartiosto (Finnish Border Guard) on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, shows the oil tanker Eagle S at sea outside Porkkalanniemi, Finland. The Eagle S was sailing at the same time in the area where the Finland-Estonia electrical link was disrupted on Wednesday. (Rajavartiosto via AP)

This photo provided by Rajavartiosto (Finnish Border Guard) on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, shows the oil tanker Eagle S, background, and the Finnish Border Guard ship Turva at sea outside Porkkalanniemi, Finland. The Eagle S was sailing at the same time in the area where the Finland-Estonia electrical link was disrupted on Wednesday. (Rajavartiosto via AP)

Finnish President Alexander Stubb meets with media to make comments on the Finland-Estonia electrical link Estlink cable disruption, at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland, Friday Dec. 27, 2024. (Vesa Moilanen/Lehtikuva via AP)

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Robert Thomas scored twice, Jordan Kyrou had a goal and an assist, and the St. Louis Blues beat the Nashville Predators 7-4 on Friday night.

Joel Hofer made 26 saves for the Blues, and defenseman Cam Fowler added a goal and two assists.

Zack Bolduc, Philip Broberg and Colton Parayko also scored for St. Louis. Dylan Holloway had two assists.

Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault each had a goal and an assist for Nashville. Mark Jankowski and Nick Blankenburg also scored.

Predators goalie Juuse Saros was pulled in the second period after allowing five goals on 15 shots.

Thomas scored the first goal of the game and got another one on a power play at 15:10 of the third period off assists from Kyrou and Fowler to make it 6-4.

Parayko added an empty-netter with 1:15 remaining.

St. Louis scored on its first two shots. Thomas got an unassisted goal 1:20 into the game when he picked off a pass by Gustav Nyquist and scored with a wrist shot. Bolduc then fired in a slap shot from the right circle at 2:47.

Predators: Saros was pulled after he poked the puck directly to Broberg, who scored unassisted from the left circle at 15:29 of the second to make it 5-3. Justus Annunen replaced Saros and made 12 saves on 13 shots.

Blues: Hofer improved to 5-0-1 in his last seven appearances. He is 8-3-1 this season.

Fowler gave St. Louis a 4-2 lead at 18:05 of the first with a slap shot from inside the blue line for his first goal of the season. St. Louis acquired him from Anaheim in a Dec. 14 trade.

Thomas has 18 points in his last 12 games (six goals, 12 assists).

The Predators play Monday at Winnipeg. The Blues host Buffalo on Sunday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Nashville Predators' Jonathan Marchessault, left, is congratulated by teammates Steven Stamkos, center, and Ryan O'Reilly (90) after scoring during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators' Filip Forsberg (9) controls the puck as St. Louis Blues' Brandon Saad (20) defends during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues' Jake Neighbours (63) and Nashville Predators' Ryan O'Reilly (90) vie for control of the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators' Adam Wilsby (83) looks to pass the puck while under pressure from St. Louis Blues' Oskar Sundqvist (70) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators goaltender Justus Annunen (29) stops the puck as Nashville Predators' Luke Schenn (2) and St. Louis Blues' Brayden Schenn (10) battle during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues' Colton Parayko (55) clears the puck while under pressure from Nashville Predators' Zachary L'Heureux (68) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators' Adam Wilsby (83) and St. Louis Blues' Mathieu Joseph (71) vie for control of the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators' Steven Stamkos, second from the left, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis BluesFriday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues' Philip Broberg (6) controls the puck while under pressure from Nashville Predators' Michael McCarron (47) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer (30) reaches for the buck as it flies past the gaol during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues' Jordan Kyrou (25) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Nashville Predators' Jeremy Lauzon (3) and St. Louis Blues' Tyler Tucker (75) fight during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Blues' Robert Thomas (18) shoots on goal while under pressure from Nashville Predators' Adam Wilsby (83) and Roman Josi (59) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)