Media Citation
Alarm Raised at Russia’s Shadow Fleet Hybrid Warfare Threat to NATO | Newsweek
Source: Newsweek | 22 May 2026
Russia is using "shadow fleet" vessels not only to evade sanctions but also to wage hybrid warfare targeting NATO members, according to the monitoring firm ACLED.
Since the start of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has been accused of stepping up hybrid warfare maneuvers to destabilize the alliance, particularly on its eastern flank through cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns and drones. ACLED, which stands for Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, has now released a report linking these operations by shadow fleet vessels to the cutting of cables and drone flights over critical infrastructure in the Baltic and North Seas.
The monitor told Newsweek that what is worrying is the recently increasing Russian readiness to deploy military ships and jets to provide protection for shadow fleet vessels, possibly diverting attention and intelligence assets from them. It predicts more cable damage and drone activity enabled by the shadow fleet will likely continue against Nordic and Baltic states over the next two years.
"We may also witness deniable acts of sabotage aimed at surveillance and communications infrastructure set up to monitor shadow fleet movements, as well as intimidations aimed at naval capabilities of Nordic countries and their allies," ACLED told Newsweek.[...]
