HELSINKI (AP) — Finnish authorities have arrested two members of a cargo ship's crew in connection with damage to an undersea telecommunications cable in the Gulf of Finland that occurred earlier this week between the capitals of Finland and Estonia, police said Thursday.
The damage was discovered early Wednesday in Estonia’s exclusive economic zone. The cable belongs to Finnish telecommunications service provider Elisa and is considered to be critical underwater infrastructure.
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Seized vessel Fitburg rests in the harbour, in Kirkkonummi, Finland, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Roni Rekomaa/Lehtikuva via AP)
Seized vessel Fitburg in the harbor of Kirkkonummi, Finland, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Roni Rekomaa/Lehtikuva via AP)
Seized vessel Fitburg in the harbor of Kirkkonummi, Finland, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Roni Rekomaa/Lehtikuva via AP)
Seized vessel Fitburg in the harbor of Kirkkonummi, Finland, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Roni Rekomaa/Lehtikuva via AP)
Helsinki police have opened an investigation into aggravated criminal damage, attempted aggravated criminal damage and aggravated interference with telecommunications.
Officials placed two other crew members under travel bans as a result of the ongoing investigation, Helsinki police said in a statement Thursday.
Police would not release the ranks of the crew members aboard the ship, their nationalities or other details.
The ship, named the Fitburg, was flagged in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It had been traveling from Russia to Israel. The 14 crew members hail from Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan and were detained by Finnish authorities.
Finnish National Police Commissioner Ilkka Koskimäki said earlier this week that the ship was dragging its anchor for hours when it was discovered in Finland’s exclusive economic zone. He noted investigators are not speculating on whether a state-level actor was behind the damage.
Finnish Customs discovered structural steel in the cargo that originated in Russia and falls under sanctions imposed by the European Union, the agency said in a statement.
"Import of such sanctioned goods into the EU is prohibited under EU sanctions regulations," the statement said. “Finnish Customs continues to investigate the sequence of events and the applicability of EU sanctions legislation to this case.”
The undersea cables and pipelines crisscross one of the busiest shipping lanes in Europe, linking Nordic, Baltic and central European countries. They promote trade and energy security and, in some cases, reduce dependence on Russian energy resources.
Finnish authorities last year charged the captain and two senior officers of a Russia-linked vessel, the Eagle S, that damaged undersea cables between Finland and Estonia on Christmas Day in 2024.
The Finnish deputy prosecutor general said in an August statement that charges of aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference with communications were filed against the captain and first and second officers of the oil tanker. The officers, whose names were not made public, denied the allegations, the statement said.
However, a Finnish court in October dismissed the charges because the damaged cables were outside Finland's territorial waters.
The Kremlin previously denied involvement in damaging the infrastructure, which provides power and communication for thousands of Europeans.
The Eagle S was flagged in the Cook Islands but had been described by Finnish customs officials and the European Union’s executive commission as part of Russia’s shadow fleet of fuel tankers. Those are aging vessels with obscure ownership, acquired to evade Western sanctions during the war in Ukraine and operating without Western-regulated insurance.
For the West, such incidents are believed to be part of widespread sabotage attacks in Europe allegedly linked to Moscow following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Seized vessel Fitburg rests in the harbour, in Kirkkonummi, Finland, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Roni Rekomaa/Lehtikuva via AP)
Seized vessel Fitburg in the harbor of Kirkkonummi, Finland, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Roni Rekomaa/Lehtikuva via AP)
Seized vessel Fitburg in the harbor of Kirkkonummi, Finland, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Roni Rekomaa/Lehtikuva via AP)
Seized vessel Fitburg in the harbor of Kirkkonummi, Finland, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Roni Rekomaa/Lehtikuva via AP)
PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 2, 2026--
Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK), one of the largest and most influential theatrical exhibition companies in the world, is building on last year’s viral National Popcorn Day event by teaming up with Lowe’s for a two-day Bring Your Own Bucket celebration on Jan. 18 and 19 (National Popcorn Day), inviting guests to bring in their own container to fill with up to 400 ounces of popcorn for just $5. With social sweepstakes, discounts on gift cards and special beverages, plus $5 all size popcorns for those without their own bucket, this year’s celebration will be the ultimate experience for popcorn lovers across Cinemark’s more than 300 U.S. theaters. Full details are available at Cinemark.com/popcornday.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251231061505/en/
“Last year’s Bring Your Own Bucket event for National Popcorn Day reimagined what this holiday could be for all movie-popcorn lovers, as people showed incredible creativity with their vessels and made the celebration truly unforgettable for both guests and our theater teams,” said Wanda Gierhart Fearing, Cinemark Chief Marketing and Content Officer. “This year, we are thrilled to build on that fun by teaming up with Lowe’s to make the experience even bigger and better. With two full days of festivities as well as special sweepstakes and promotions, we cannot wait to see how much this year’s celebration will heat up.”
BYOBucket – The Sequel
After a cinematic meet-cute on social media during the inaugural Bring Your Own Bucket event last year, Cinemark and Lowe’s are teaming up to take this year’s National Popcorn Day to the next level. On Sunday, Jan. 18, and Monday, Jan. 19, guests can bring any type of container – whether it’s a film-themed collectible, or an iconic blue Lowe’s 5-gallon bucket – and it will be filled with up to 400 ounces of craveable popcorn for just $5 plus tax. That is the equivalent of two XL popcorns at the concession stand. Those who bring the beloved Lowe’s buckets, available for purchase at Lowe’s stores and on Lowes.com, are exempt from the 400-ounce rule and are eligible to have their entire 5-gallon bucket filled. Food-grade bucket liners will be available upon request, and guests with the iconic Lowe’s buckets will also receive a special coupon for future popcorn cravings valid Feb. 1 through Feb. 26.
“Helpfulness is at the heart of the Lowe’s brand, and it shows up in the everyday moments customers share with family and friends — even a night at the movies,” said Jen Wilson, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Lowe’s. “Our iconic blue bucket brings utility and delight wherever it goes, including the theater. Teaming up with Cinemark is a fun, simple way to give families even more value from something they already rely on throughout the year.”
Those searching for a cinematic keepsake to commemorate the holiday will find an array of unique, attention-grabbing buckets on shop.cinemark.com. Everyone is encouraged to showcase their bucket style by tagging @Cinemark on social channels. No bucket? No problem! All sizes of Cinemark popcorn will be just $5 plus tax at all U.S. theaters for both days.
“At Cinemark, popcorn is more than just a snack, it is the star of the show,” said David Haywood, Cinemark SVP of Food and Beverage. “Last year, Cinemark theaters sold nearly 5 billion ounces of our craveable popcorn. We start with the highest-quality kernels and pop them to perfection for that irresistible crunch and flavor. On National Popcorn Day, we are celebrating the gold standard that makes every magical movie moment pop.”
While guests do not have to have a movie ticket to participate, nothing pairs better with popcorn than a captivating story unfolding on a larger-than-life screen. Visit Cinemark.com or the Cinemark app for showtimes.
Snack on Sweepstakes and Promotions
Cinemark is extending the celebration of the golden snack beyond just buckets.
From Jan. 2 through Jan. 19, everyone can test their kernel-catching skills with an online popcorn bucket fill up game at Cinemark.com/popcornday, for the chance to win free popcorn for a year. Then on Jan. 19 only, all who follow Cinemark’s official Instagram account (@Cinemark) and tag three friends in the comments of the National Popcorn Day sweepstakes post will be entered to win a free large popcorn.
Cinemark Movie Rewards members can express their love for the cinematic treat by entering a sweepstakes to win 10,000 points, which can be redeemed for golden movie tickets and heaps of delicious snacks. Members should check the rewards center for more information.
All online gift card orders will be 10 percent off on both Jan. 18 and 19, so popcorn lovers can stock up and savor every bucket for the blockbuster moments ahead.
For those that prefer their butter in drinkable form, Butter Chardonnay will be available in close to 190 Cinemark locations throughout the entire month of January.
The Cinemark Experience
Cinemark’s commitment to delivering a preeminent out-of-home entertainment experience comes to fruition through continual investment in its theaters and customer journey.
For full details about the Cinemark moviegoing experience, visit Cinemark.com or download the Cinemark app. Click HERE for general Cinemark images and b-roll.
About Cinemark Holdings, Inc.
Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK) provides extraordinary out-of-home entertainment experiences as one of the largest and most influential theatrical exhibition companies in the world. Based in Plano, Texas, Cinemark makes every day cinematic for moviegoers across nearly 500 theaters and more than 5,500 screens, operating in 42 states in the U.S. (304 theaters; 4,249 screens) and 13 South and Central American countries (193 theaters; 1,395 screens). Cinemark offers guests superior sight and sound technology, including Barco laser projection and Cinemark XD, the world’s No. 1 exhibitor-branded premium large format; industry-leading penetration of upscale amenities such as expanded food and beverage offerings, Luxury Lounger recliners and D-BOX motion seats; top-notch guest service; and award-winning loyalty programs such as Cinemark Movie Club. All of this creates an immersive environment for a shared, entertaining escape, underscoring that there is no place more cinematic than Cinemark. For more information, visit https://ir.cinemark.com.
About Lowe’s
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 100 home improvement company serving approximately 16 million customer transactions a week, with total fiscal year 2024 sales of more than $83 billion. Lowe’s employs approximately 300,000 associates and operates over 1,700 home improvement stores, 530 branches and 130 distribution centers. Based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs focused on creating safe, affordable housing, improving community spaces, helping to develop the next generation of skilled trade experts and providing disaster relief to communities in need. For more information, visit Lowes.com.
Cinemark expands Bring Your Own Bucket National Popcorn Celebration to two days Jan. 18 & 19.
