On 31 December 2025 the Fitburg’s crew damaged two undersea telecommunications cables linking Finland and Estonia, owned by Elisa Oyj and Arelion Finland Oy. The court found that the ship dragged its anchor chain and part of its anchor along the seabed for about 130 km outside Finnish territorial waters. Police referred the case to prosecutors in June 2026. There is no single point on the map because the sources describe an area. On 5 November 2026 the Helsinki District Court found that the captain and boatswain deliberately damaged two telecommunications cables. It sentenced the captain to three years and six months in prison and the boatswain to two years and ten months. The judgment is open to appeal. It establishes individual responsibility at first instance. Any state involvement remains undetermined.
Responsibility and limits of the evidence
unresolved
The case was looked at and not settled, or the findings are disputed or have been rejected.
Keskusrikospoliisi (fińska Centralna Policja Kryminalna) / 2026-06-05 / carrying out the act
Police concluded the investigation with four suspects from the Fitburg's crew for aggravated criminal damage, its attempt and aggravated interference with telecommunications, and referred the case to the prosecutor. The release does not say whether the damage was deliberate and names nobody as having ordered it. The vessel's association with the so-called shadow fleet is not evidence of an order from the Russian authorities.
Impact
killed
not established
injured
not established
damage
property damage
No casualties reported.
What happened next
The seizure of the vessel was lifted after Finnish and Estonian police completed their work on board; one crew member remained in custody and three were placed under a travel ban.
The National Bureau of Investigation concluded the investigation with four suspects and referred the case to the Deputy Prosecutor General for consideration of charges.
On 5 November 2026 the Helsinki District Court found that the captain and boatswain deliberately damaged two telecommunications cables. It sentenced the captain to three years and six months in prison and the boatswain to two years and ten months. The judgment is open to appeal. It establishes individual responsibility at first instance. Any state involvement remains undetermined.