Russia waged a drone campaign in Europe and likely launched drones from shadow ships, report says
The report says 144 suspected incursions disrupted airports and military sites, exposing gaps in European air defenses and prompting countries to boost counterdrone systems.
- On Thursday, the International Institute for Strategic Studies reported Russia likely used 'shadow fleet' ships to launch drones over Europe, plotting 144 suspected incidents between 2024 and 2026.
- The campaign targeted sensitive sites hosting American nuclear weapons to probe radar gaps and test NATO's collective response, which the IISS described as a 'strategic failure' for European air defenses.
- Incidents included the January 3, 2025, flight of 20 drones over Koege, Denmark, and sightings over four American air bases in Britain during November 2024, frequently linked to the shadow fleet vessel Arctica.
- Repeated incursions in late 2025 forced temporary airport closures in Denmark, prompting Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to call them the 'most serious attack on Danish critical infrastructure to date' and spurring counter-drone investments.
- General Jonny Lindfors, Sweden's military representative to NATO, stated such threats are the 'new normal,' as officials view the campaign as a sustained effort to monitor Western military capabilities while remaining below collective response thresholds.
43 Articles
43 Articles
Drones on nuclear weapons sites in Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK: An expert report suggests a coordinated Russian espionage operation.
NATO air defenses proved powerless against a daring GRU attack. Russia conducted a large-scale espionage operation against strategic nuclear facilities in several European countries for 18 months. Spy drones were launched directly from ships of the Russian "shadow fleet," RBC-Ukraine reported, citing The Guardian. Air Defense Deficit and the Kremlin's Goals According to the publication, analysts at the International Institute for Strategic Studi…
Russia-Linked Tankers May Have Sent Drones Over Europe’s Most Sensitive Military Sites. At Least 144 Times
Russia is suspected of using tankers as launch platforms for drones flown over sensitive sites, including nuclear facilities in Europe, according to a new report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) published on July 2. The suspected campaign was aimed at identifying weaknesses in European air defense systems, the report says. We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field. DONATE NOW Accor…
Russia has observed nuclear facilities in European countries for several years, using drones launched from the "shadow fleet" ships, which, according to The Guardian, was concluded by experts from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).
The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) has analysed 144 suspicious incidents with drones in recent years in several European countries. Researchers have concluded that Moscow is the one that has coordinated an extensive campaign of surveillance of military targets, using unmanned aircraft, for 18 months, writes The Guardian. The Kremlin is ...
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