The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) has revealed a significant drone campaign initiated by Russia’s shadow fleet across Europe. This operation appears focused on surveilling military sites and testing NATO’s air defenses. The report identifies 144 suspected drones near sensitive areas in Germany, France, and the UK.
NATO allies are preparing to meet in Turkey with drone warfare and Russia’s tactics high on the agenda. Utilizing old ships designed to evade sanctions, Russia has reportedly launched drones at European military installations and airports, according to the IISS.
Between August 2024 and February 2026, these drones were seen near strategic military and nuclear sites in several countries, including Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, and Denmark. Notably, American air bases in the UK also reported drone activity in November 2024.
“There’s no doubt that the Russians are using these shadow fleet vessels to bring drones closer to various European countries,”
stated Retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, who led US Army Europe until 2018. Germany reported over 1,000 suspicious drone sightings in 2025 alone, particularly around military bases training Ukrainian soldiers.
Elisabeth Braw from the Atlantic Council highlighted the broader objectives of these drone activities. They aim to test government reactions, gauge public response, and evaluate potential crisis behavior among European nations.
The report indicates that drones disrupted operations across NATO states and Ireland, causing multiple airport closures and breaches of critical defense sites. In 2025, drones targeted military installations in the Netherlands and Belgium, sites believed to host US nuclear bombs and France’s submarine base at Île Longue.
“It’s a combination of espionage and psychological warfare to create anxiety and pressure governments regarding their support for Ukraine,”
remarked Hodges.
Drone warfare aims to test allied air defense response times and decision-making capabilities. It seeks to expose weaknesses in infrastructure, including military logistics supporting Ukraine. The campaign also inflicts economic and psychological stress on European societies by disrupting civilian aviation and challenging public confidence in air security. Furthermore, the campaign seeks to acclimate the public to minor airspace violations that avoid direct military confrontation.
This surge in drone sightings peaked in late 2025, causing temporary airport closures in countries like Germany, Spain, and Denmark. Sweden has directly accused Moscow of espionage after a Russian spy ship was linked to a drone flying near a French aircraft carrier.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly denied any involvement in such acts. Nevertheless, the IISS tracked Russia’s shadow fleet positioning and linked them to key drone incidents, suggesting their use as launch platforms while maintaining plausible deniability. These drones often escape radar detection.
On January 3, 2025, the vessel Arctica navigated near Denmark as 20 drones flew over Koege’s port before vanishing at sea. Similar drone sightings near Copenhagen Airport in September 2025 led to closures, with shadow ships Arctica and Boracay present in the vicinity.
Drones have been reported not only in Europe but also in the US. In December 2023, unauthorized drones flew over Virginia’s Joint Base Langley-Eustis, evading detection for 17 days. In March, drones maneuvered near Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.
These incidents prompted the Trump administration to declassify investigation results in late 2024 to address public concern, concluding the majority of US sightings were hobbyist activities without a major foreign threat. The IISS maintains that drones in Europe are not recreational and likely originate from Russian shadow vessels.
Jennifer Griffin, the national security correspondent for FOX News, has provided detailed coverage of these developments. Based in Washington D.C., Griffin joined the network in 1999.
Leave a Reply