Finnish Police detain cargo vessel Fitburg following subsea cable damage

The Finnish police, in cooperation with other state authorities, conducted a high-profile operation to detain the cargo vessel Fitburg and moved it to a safe location for further investigative actions and information gathering. The operation was led by the Helsinki Police Department, with participation from Border Guard and Finnish Defence Forces helicopters.

Oskar Wojciechowski sales / advertising 02.01.2026, 14:41 Reading time: 2 min

Helicopter lowers officers onto the deck of the cargo vessel Fitburg at sea — fot. Poliisi

In brief

The freighter Fitburg, sailing under the flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, was detained by Finnish police in connection with damage to a subsea cable. Officers of the Karhu unit and the Border Guard tactical group rappelled onto the deck from helicopters, and the crew consists of 14 people from Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. The Helsinki Police Department investigation concerns aggravated damage to property and deliberate disruption of communications. Traficom announced a Port State Control inspection for 31 December.

- This maritime operation once again demonstrated the excellent readiness of the police and other authorities to respond quickly and work seamlessly within their respective responsibilities, says National Police Commissioner Ilkka Koskimäki.

Field operation

During the operation, the rapid response unit Karhu and the Border Guard’s tactical team fast-roped onto the vessel’s deck from helicopters. The vessel was taken into custody as part of a coordinated law enforcement operation.

- In addition to launching this strong inter-agency cooperation process, we immediately dispatched a Border Guard helicopter and the patrol vessel Turva to sea and began locating potential suspects who could have caused damage in the maritime area, explains Commander Mikko Simola of the Gulf of Finland Coast Guard.

Vessel and crew

The ship in question is the cargo vessel Fitburg, flying the flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, with a 14-member crew from Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan.

The criminal investigation is being led by the Helsinki Police Department in cooperation with the National Bureau of Investigation. The police are in contact with the National Prosecutor’s Office, and the Prosecutor General has issued a prosecution order. The investigation currently concerns:

aggravated criminal damage,
attempted aggravated criminal damage,
and aggravated interference with telecommunications.

Intensive international cooperation, particularly with Estonian authorities, is ongoing to resolve the case.

Traficom and customs inspections

The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) is conducting a Port State Control inspection of the vessel today, 31 December, to ensure compliance with international maritime conventions.

- The inspection will be carried out in a manner that does not disrupt the police operation or investigation, says Sanna Sonninen, Director of Maritime Affairs at Traficom.

Customs authorities are examining the vessel’s cargo for potential sanctions or regulatory violations.

- Customs will assess the conditions for the vessel’s cargo import, and, if necessary, a preliminary investigation will be initiated based on the findings, states Sami Rakshit, Director General of Customs.

Telecommunications status

Traficom confirms that the severed subsea cable has not affected Finland’s telecommunications services. Both national and international connections are secured via multiple transmission routes, with internet traffic automatically rerouted in case of disruptions.