Russia Used ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tankers To Launch Drone Surveillance Over NATO Sites, Report Says

Russia is believed to have used its so-called "shadow fleet" of oil tankers to launch surveillance drones targeting military, nuclear and critical infrastructure across Europe, exposing gaps in NATO's air defence systems, according to a new report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). The findings detail an alleged covert campaign spanning more than a year and involving dozens of drone incursions over sensitive sites in NATO member states and Ireland.

Drone Campaign Targeted Military and Nuclear Sites

According to the IISS report, investigators documented 144 suspected drone incidents between 2024 and 2026 across more than a dozen European countries. The drones reportedly flew over military airbases, nuclear facilities, defence industries and other critical infrastructure.

Among the locations cited were military bases in the UK, including RAF Lakenheath, Mildenhall, Fairford and Feltwell, as well as strategic sites in France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and Ireland. Several of these facilities are linked to NATO operations or host US military assets. Vladimir Putin Visits China To Reaffirm Russia Ties As Chinese President Xi Jinping Seeks Stable US Relations After Donald Trump Summit.

'Shadow Fleet' Tankers Suspected as Launch Platforms

The report suggests many of the drones were likely launched and recovered from Russia-linked "shadow fleet" vessels operating near European coastlines.

These ships, commonly associated with transporting Russian oil outside Western sanctions, allegedly served as mobile platforms for reconnaissance missions. Analysts said the pattern of drone activity alongside the movements of certain vessels strongly indicates a coordinated operation, although direct attribution remains difficult.  Russia Open to Peace Deal With Ukraine Following Anchorage Talks: President Vladimir Putin.

Report Highlights NATO Defence Gaps

The IISS said the campaign exposed weaknesses in Europe's ability to detect and respond to slow, low-flying drones. In several cases, drones reportedly operated over sensitive sites without being intercepted, highlighting limitations in existing air defence systems and legal frameworks governing responses to unmanned aircraft.

The report argues that the operations appeared designed not only to gather intelligence but also to test NATO response times, map logistics networks and create psychological and economic disruption without triggering a direct military confrontation.

Calls for Stronger Counter-Drone Measures

The findings have renewed calls for European governments and NATO to strengthen counter-drone capabilities and improve coordination against hybrid threats.

While Russia has denied conducting similar operations in the past, the IISS report says the scale and coordination of the drone activity suggest a deliberate effort to exploit vulnerabilities in Europe's security architecture. European countries have since increased efforts to track suspicious vessels and enhance surveillance around critical infrastructure.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 02, 2026 05:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).