Elisabeth Braw

A report by the International Institute of Strategic Studies reveals Russia is using a shadow fleet of sanction-busting ships to launch drones near NATO military bases and nuclear sites in Europe, testing alliance defenses and causing airspace disruptions. Between 2024 and 2026, over 1,000 suspicious drone sightings were recorded in Germany, with similar incidents in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, and Denmark, targeting critical infrastructure and military facilities.

A report by the International Institute of Strategic Studies warns Russia is using a shadow fleet of old ships to launch drones near European military and nuclear sites, testing NATO air defenses and causing disruptions. Between 2024 and 2026, 144 suspected drones were recorded near sensitive locations in multiple NATO countries, including Germany, France, and the UK, with over 1,000 sightings in Germany in 2025.

European companies are facing hybrid attacks including drone surveillance, sabotage, and cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. The article highlights the need for closer government-private sector collaboration to address these threats, citing a Swedish committee as a model for effective coordination.

The U.S. military seized two Iranian-linked oil tankers this week, which are part of a global 'shadow fleet' involved in illicit activities. Elisabeth Braw, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, discusses the implications of these shadow vessels with NPR's Juana Summers.