Estonian law enforcement agencies detained the container ship Baltic Spirit in the Gulf of Finland on February 3. The vessel sailed under the flag of the Bahamas. It was traveling from Ecuador to Sankt-Peterburg and entered the country’s territorial waters to refuel. Authorities suspect the ship of smuggling.
Estonia’s public broadcaster ERR reported this.
Detention of a Vessel with a Russian Crew
According to officials, the container ship was traveling from Ecuador to Sankt-Peterburg. It entered Estonia’s territorial waters for refueling and resupplying while staying at an official anchorage.
Law enforcement agencies had grounds to believe the vessel may have been used for smuggling operations.
Authorities involved the K-Commando police special unit, the navy, and aviation. Security forces boarded the ship from a helicopter and detained it for inspection.
There were 23 crew members on board. All were citizens of Russia. They offered no resistance.
Preliminary data indicate that Baltic Spirit does not belong to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” and does not fall under EU sanctions. However, law enforcement suspects possible smuggling activities. The investigation continues.
Estonian services noted that this marked the first operation of such scale in the country’s internal waters, involving multiple security agencies, the navy, and aviation simultaneously.
Incidents Involving Russian-Linked Vessels
Recently, the number of attacks and detentions of vessels linked to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet has increased. Russia uses this fleet to bypass sanctions and transport oil and cargo.
In late November, Ukrainian Sea Baby naval drones struck the tankers Kairos and Virat near the coast of Türkiye, causing critical damage. Later, forces attacked the tanker Dashan in the Black Sea. In December, the SBU disabled the vessel QENDIL in neutral waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
At the same time, the United States and its allies intensified detentions of Russian vessels. Recently, U.S. forces, with support from British aviation, stopped the tanker Bella 1 (Marinera) and the vessel Sophia in the North Atlantic. Authorities suspect both ships of sanctions violations and smuggling.
Earlier, The Ukrainian Review reported that 14 European states agreed to strengthen control in the Baltic Sea and restrict navigation for Russia’s shadow fleet.
