A Russia-linked tanker suspected of cutting Baltic Sea cables has been tugged to port amid reports it was loaded with “spy equipment”.

Finnish special forces have seized the Russian tanker Eagle S, suspected of damaging the Estlink-2 power cable connecting Finland to Estonia. Finnish authorities have not ruled out deliberate action and do not plan to inform Russia.

The Finnish police suspect a Russian tanker of damaging the EstLink 2 cable. Finnish police have reported that the Russian tanker Eagle S may be responsible for damaging the underwater power cable EstLink 2.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Friday said the alliance will increase patrols in the Baltic Sea region after Finland seized an oil tanker suspected of having damaged undersea power and internet cables this week.

NATO said on Friday it would boost its presence in the Baltic Sea after the suspected sabotage this week of an undersea power cable and four internet lines, while alliance member Estonia launched a naval operation to guard a parallel electricity link.

NATO said on Friday it would boost its presence in the Baltic Sea after the suspected sabotage this week of an undersea power cable and four internet cables, while alliance member Estonia launched a naval operation to guard a parallel electricity link.