Russia’s Shadow Fleet Drone Campaign Across Europe

Shadow Fleet’s Drone Operations

Jennifer Griffin reports that Russia’s shadow fleet is actively launching drones across Europe to monitor military sites and analyze NATO’s air defenses. The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) highlights 144 suspected drones near significant locations in Germany, France, and the UK.

NATO’s Agenda and Russia’s Strategies

As NATO allies prepare for a meeting in Turkey, drone warfare and Russia’s assessment of the alliance take center stage. Employing its shadow fleet of older sanction-busting vessels, Russia seemingly deploys drones at European military bases and airports, assessing NATO allies’ response times and air defenses, as per the IISS report.

Between August 2024 and February 2026, suspicious drones appeared close to sensitive sites in Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, and Denmark. In November 2024, American air bases in the UK experienced similar incidents.

Drone Sightings and Military Bases

Retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, former commanding general of US Army Europe, suggests Russia seeks to bring diverse drone types closer to European territories.

Germany faced more than 1,000 suspicious drone sightings in 2025. These occurred over German defense firms and military bases, where Ukrainian soldiers received training.

Public Reaction Testing

Elisabeth Braw of the Atlantic Council observes that drones test public and authority reactions. This includes evaluating the public’s blame towards politicians and authority figures.

Unmanned aerial incidents affected airspace in numerous NATO and European countries, including Ireland. The report noted closures at vital commercial aviation hubs, military disruptions, and perimeter breaches of notable defense facilities.

Targeting Sensitive Installations

In 2025, mystery drones targeted military locations in the Netherlands and Belgium. Furthermore, targeted was France’s ballistic-missile submarine base at Île Longue.

These operations combine espionage with psychological tactics to induce anxiety, as Lt. Gen. Hodges explains. The anxiety may pressure governments to withdraw support for Ukraine.

Impact on Airspace Security

The Russian drones aim to probe response times and civil-military command structures. They identify vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure, including dual-use civilian sites, military logistics hubs aiding Ukraine, and locations concerning nuclear deterrence. Economic and psychological impacts are intentional, disrupting civilian aviation, diminishing airspace security trust, and encouraging public doubt.

The incidents peaked in late 2025, resulting in temporary European airport closures, including those in Germany, Spain, and Denmark.

Sweden directly accused Moscow when a drone originating from a Russian spy vessel flew near a French aircraft carrier.

Denials from the Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed accusations of Russian sabotage and surveillance throughout Europe. He challenged reporters to provide a single proven fact.

Despite this, the IISS traced Russia’s shadow fleet’s locations, suggesting possible roles in recent drone incidents. Russia could potentially use the vessels as a drone-launching platform while maintaining plausible deniability.

Documented Incidents in Europe

On January 3, 2025, the Arctica, a Russian shadow fleet vessel, sailed near the Danish coast as 20 drones hovered over Koege, Denmark, before disappearing at sea.

September 22 saw drone sightings close Copenhagen Airport. The IISS noted several shadow ships, including the Arctica and the Boracay, in the vicinity.

Drone Sightings in the U.S.

Recently, unexplained drone sightings occurred in the United States as well. In December 2023, Virginia’s Joint Base Langley-Eustis experienced unauthorized aircraft for 17 consecutive days, evading military detection.

In March, drones near Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana violated security, hinting at evasive maneuvers from the operators.

Clarifications from U.S. Authorities

Panic from drone sightings near critical infrastructure along the U.S. East Coast in late 2024 necessitated the Trump administration’s declassification of related investigations. Many reported sightings linked to hobbyists rather than foreign threats.

However, the IISS asserts these are far from hobbyists impacting NATO allies in Europe. The most likely origin is drones launched from shadow vessels at sea.

Jennifer Griffin, a national security correspondent for FOX News Channel, reports from Washington D.C. She joined the network in October 1999 as a Jerusalem-based correspondent.