German Foreign Minister Johannes Wadeful officially announced the strengthening of measures to prevent and control the activities of the so-called “shadow fleet” of Russia in the Baltic Sea, which has raised concerns among European communities regarding regional security
This development followed a series of suspicious incidents and attempts by Russia to operate covertly in this strategically important region. In an interview with German media, Wadeful stated that the security situation in the Baltic region is complex, with recent months marked by escalation. According to him, specialists and military structures are monitoring suspicious actions by Russian vessels, including cut cables, radio signal disruptions, and malicious interference with navigation systems. This raises serious concerns about the safety of maritime and coastal communications in the area. In light of this situation, Berlin officially announced the introduction of new sanctions and increased patrols in the Baltic Sea region. Johannes Wadeful emphasized that the European Union, together with NATO, is making maximum efforts to counter hybrid threats emanating from Russia. They assured that surveillance of suspicious vessels will be intensified, and some ships suspected of circumventing international sanctions are under scrutiny. The German Foreign Minister underscored that Russia’s “shadow fleet” poses a serious threat to regional security and stability. He mentioned that the EU is preparing and is already considering the possibility of imposing additional restrictions in the form of sanctions against vessels used by Russia to bypass embargoes. The daily oil trade conducted by this “fleet” helps Moscow sustain its resources despite international restrictions. This trend was further confirmed by certain incidents that occurred several days ago. Specifically, Estonian military attempted to stop the tanker Jaguar, which was passing through international waters of the Gulf of Finland en route to the port of Primorsk, considered part of Russia’s “shadow fleet.” When entering Estonian jurisdiction, the vessel ignored border guards’ instructions and left the country’s economic waters, but was nonetheless added to the UK sanctions list. Another unexpected factor contributing to this tense situation was Russia’s response, which involved sending a fighter to the sea in reaction to Estonian military actions. According to official reports from the Estonian military, this aircraft violated the country's airspace, further increasing tensions between the nations. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna emphasized that this incident clearly demonstrates Russia’s determination to defend its so-called “shadow fleet” and its willingness to use any means necessary to maintain its positions in the region. In the context of these events, heightened attention from the European Union to combating sanctions circumvention and preventing submarine and maritime operations that could destabilize the Baltic Sea is particularly significant. The introduction of new measures and increased oversight are responses to the growing hybrid threat and Russia’s efforts to sustain its regional presence through any possible means, including covert operations. This situation once again highlights how tense the geopolitical and security processes in northern Europe remain, intensifying discussions concerning further steps to counter Russian aggression in the region. The course toward active sanctions, increased military readiness, and strengthened cooperation among EU member states and NATO appears to be a key approach to addressing these modern challenges.