Russian Shadow Fleet Could Launch Drones and Transport Weapons, Expert Warns

Experts warn that Russia's “shadow fleet” could be used to transport weapons, gather intelligence, and even launch drones from sea platforms.

The Gaze reports on it, referring to Liga.net.

Marek Kohv, head of the “Security and Resilience” research program at The International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS), emphasizes that the original role of the shadow fleet — the transit of cargo in circumvention of sanctions — has long since expanded. 

Currently, such vessels can transport weapons, land paramilitary groups, conduct reconnaissance, and even damage underwater infrastructure. Kohv stresses that launching UAVs from tanker decks is a “plausible” scenario. 

"This is a direct and clear threat to all EU maritime states," says Kohv.

Andrius Kubilius, EU Commissioner for Defense and Space, warned that tankers and other shadow fleet vessels could theoretically be turned into “floating platforms for launching UAVs,” making the entire European maritime space a potential risk zone. 

According to him, there are technical capabilities for launches from ships, although no confirmed cases have been made public yet.

Belgian Member of Parliament Wouter Beke points out that the Kremlin may also use intermediaries — criminal groups within and outside the EU — to organize provocations with no apparent direct links to Russia. This complicates investigations and allows Moscow to deny involvement. 

"We need to remain cautious but realistic about the patterns of behavior we have seen in Russia in the past," the MEP stresses.

Russia's shadow fleet is a network of commercial and private vessels used to circumvent international sanctions and transport cargo outside official channels.

The EU has already included more than 500 tankers on its sanctions list, banning them from ports and insurance, but Russia continues to buy new vessels to circumvent the restrictions. 

According to Ukrainian intelligence estimates, the shadow fleet may include up to 1,000 vessels with a total carrying capacity of over 100 million tons, ensuring the export of oil and fuel. 

Western allies are steadily increasing pressure on Russia, in particular through new EU sanctions packages and a reduction in the price cap on Russian oil.

As The Gaze reported earlier, the EU’s 19th sanctions package added 117 more Russian “shadow fleet” tankers to the blacklist, bringing the total to 558, aiming to curb Russia’s ability to bypass restrictions and continue oil exports.