A German think tank has issued a warning about the growing military threat posed by a network of Russia-linked vessels engaged in intelligence gathering activities across European waters. According to the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), these so-called shadow fleet ships are collecting extensive information on how countries, including the United Kingdom, respond to incidents such as damage to underwater infrastructure.

The SWP raised concerns last month that European nations are not giving adequate attention to this evolving threat. Julian Pawlak, a defence expert at the institute, noted that the shadow fleet significantly broadens the range of potential security risks. “It cannot be ruled out that sabotage and espionage are being used as preparatory measures or to support potential military actions,” he said.

Incidents uncovered by defence officials point to a consistent pattern in the activities of these vessels, including the presence of surveillance and espionage equipment not typically found on commercial ships. Unusual security personnel have also been observed on board tankers and freighters linked to the shadow fleet.

In one notable case last September, German authorities conducted a raid on the Scanlark, a cargo ship crewed by Russian nationals. During the operation, investigators discovered items such as non-standard GPS antennas and advanced 360-degree cameras, which are generally associated with reconnaissance rather than routine maritime commerce.

The findings have raised alarms about the potential for these vessels to monitor and potentially interfere with critical undersea infrastructure, including communication cables and pipelines, which are vital for both civilian and military purposes. While the full extent of the shadow fleet’s operations remains unclear, officials emphasize the need for heightened vigilance and improved defensive measures to counter potential threats stemming from this covert maritime presence.