Russian tanker found with equipment for spying on NATO, — Lloyd's List.

Finland detains Russian tanker for intelligence activities

On December 26, Finnish authorities detained the Russian tanker Eagle S, which damaged an underwater cable between Finland and Estonia. An investigation showed that the vessel was actually being used for intelligence activities.

According to Lloyd's List, special equipment for surveillance and collecting intelligence data was found on board the tanker. According to one informant who had previously worked on the vessel, the installed equipment consumed so much electricity that it often led to malfunctions in the ship's systems.

It turned out that Eagle S is not the only case. Similar equipment was also found on the tanker Swiftsea Rider. Both vessels are part of a fleet of 26 old tankers that Russia has acquired over the past two years to circumvent sanctions.

There were constantly individuals on board Eagle S who were not part of the crew. They operated powerful radio-electronic equipment that they carried in large suitcases. The collected data on the movement of NATO ships and aircraft was transmitted for analysis during visits to Russian ports.

Crew members were aware of the intelligence activities but remained silent due to threats. Captains who tried to report illegal activities were immediately dismissed.

The real owners of the vessels were hidden behind a complex network of front companies registered in Dubai.

As a reminder, the EU is preparing to strike at Russia's 'shadow fleet' due to diversions in the Baltic Sea.