Reviews & Ratings for the Spasatel-Karev

On May 20, 2025, an incident occurred on the Neva River when a container ship collided with the 'Spasatel Karev' during its mooring maneuvers at berth No. 94 of OOO Basis Port in St. Petersburg. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties or pollution as a result of the collision. Preliminary assessments suggest that adverse weather conditions could have played a role in the incident. In response, the North-West Transport Prosecutor's Office has initiated an official investigation, while the St. Petersburg Transport Prosecutor's Office is conducting its own inspection to ensure adherence to water transport safety regulations.

In a significant development, officials in Finland have identified a damaged Russian telecommunications cable amidst investigations into a pipeline leak in the Baltic Sea, first reported in early October. Finland's Ministry of Economy announced on November 6, 2023, that the salvage vessel 'Spasatel Karev' initiated repair work on Rostelecom's Baltika telecommunications cable within the Gulf of Finland on the same day. The damage, as reported by Rostelecom to Finnish authorities on October 12, affects the Baltika telecommunications cable, which lies partially within Finland's exclusive economic zone. This notification followed the shutdown of the Balticconnector pipeline connecting Finland and Estonia due to a significant pressure drop just days earlier. The Baltika cable extends approximately 1,000 kilometers, linking Saint Petersburg with the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. Rostelecom emphasized the urgency of repairs to maintain communication supplies in the region. Earlier, Finnish officials indicated that the leak in the gas pipeline was likely caused by an anchor, presumed to belong to the 'NewNew Polar Bear', weighing six tons. This anchor is believed to have struck the Balticconnector, resulting in the significant damage. Efforts to reach the ship's captain, who proceeded into Russian waters, have been unsuccessful. In response to these maritime incidents, Finland has partnered with China to investigate further. Compounding these events, Sweden recently reported damage to an undersea telecommunications cable between Sweden and Estonia from a similar ‘external force’ or ‘manipulation’, likely coinciding with the gas pipeline issues. These occurrences have intensified suspicions regarding potential Russian involvement. Following the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Finland officially joined NATO in 2023, a move that is mirrored by Sweden's aspirations to join the alliance.