A Russian icebreaker has undertaken a rescue mission for a tanker trapped in ice near Porkkala, Finland. Finnish authorities emphasize that they do not officially support rescue operations for vessels heading to Russia. According to Ilja Iljin, deputy commander of the Finnish Coast Guard in the Gulf of Finland, several vessels remain stuck in the ice, showing the challenging navigation conditions due to the winter weather.

The Finnish Transport Agency and the Border Guard reported that multiple cargo ships have been trapped in the ice in the Gulf of Finland, some of which belong to a shadow fleet that transports oil from Russia abroad. Despite the challenging conditions, the Finnish authorities have allowed Russian icebreakers to enter Finnish territorial waters starting from Thursday, under strict regulations and only for case-by-case assistance of specific vessels. Elisa Mikkolainen, the director of maritime traffic at the Transport Agency, confirmed that requests for such assistance have been made.

On Thursday, the Russian icebreaker received permission to assist a vessel en route to Russia that was trapped in the ice. These decisions underscore the complexities of international maritime operations during winter months, particularly concerning geopolitical circumstances. The Finnish stance reflects both operational limitations and a clear boundary regarding cooperation with Russian vessels, reiterating the country's cautious approach to Russian maritime activities.