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Shadow Fleet – a new "front" of hybrid operations on NATO's eastern flank
 
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, Polska
 
 
Submission date: 2025-04-25
 
 
Acceptance date: 2025-06-27
 
 
Publication date: 2025-07-08
 
 
Corresponding author
Patryk Reśkiewicz   

Analityk Departamentu Bezpieczeństwa Międzynarodowego, Biuro Bezpieczeństwa Narodowego, Polska
 
 
Bezpieczeństwo Narodowe 2025;46(1):199-217
 
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ABSTRACT
Summary: The article analyzes Russia’s “shadow fleet” as a new front in hybrid operations on NATO’s eastern flank. The text provides a detailed account of the functioning of this informal fleet, composed mainly of oil tankers with obscure ownership, which Russia employs to circumvent international sanctions, particularly in the oil trade. The author further demonstrates how the shadow fleet serves as a tool of destabilization in the Baltic Sea region, being used for sabotage of critical infrastructure, intelligence activities, and potentially even military operations. This poses a significant threat to maritime security and the defense capabilities of NATO member states. The article emphasizes that these activities are part of Russia’s broader strategy aimed at weakening the North Atlantic Alliance Purpose and research methods: The aim of this article is to analyze the role of the shadow fleet in the context of the Baltic Sea security environment. The activities of this informal fleet have serious consequences for the stability of the region,both economically, militarily, and environmentally. The article demonstrates how Russia uses vessels with unclear ownership and operational status to circumvent sanctions and destabilize the region through hybrid operations - destruction of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea Conclusions / recommendations: The analysis of Russia’s “shadow fleet” reveals its dual nature as both an economic and military tool. The activities of vessels circumventing sanctions not only sustain the financial mechanisms supporting the Russian regime, but also serve as a platform for hybrid operations—ranging from sabotage of critical infrastructure to intelligence gathering. The fleet’s actions test NATO’s response boundaries, exploiting the gap between maritime control and and freedom of navigation. In light of rising tensions on NATO’s eastern flank, it becomes necessary to implement more effective monitoring mechanisms and countermeasures against threats resulting from the operation of this informal fleet. Current efforts in maritime control, sanctions, and intelligence cooperation are proving insufficient, highlighting the need for a more coordinated and decisive response from allied states
eISSN:2956-8536
ISSN:1896-4923
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