Russia’s Shadow Fleet Conducts Drone Operations Across Europe

Reports indicate that Russia’s shadow fleet has initiated drone activities throughout Europe, primarily to observe military sites and assess NATO’s air defense mechanisms. According to findings from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), there were 144 suspected drone sightings near critical sites in Germany, France, and the UK.

This issue of drone warfare along with Russia’s challenges to NATO will be a focal point as member states prepare for a meeting in Turkey. The IISS suggests that Russia is employing a covert fleet of outdated vessels, bypassing sanctions, to deploy drones targeting military bases and airports in Europe, a move that seems designed to evaluate NATO allies’ responsiveness and air defense capabilities.

From August 2024 through February 2026, 144 flying objects believed to be drones were tracked near military and nuclear facilities in several countries—Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, and Denmark. Notably, over US air bases in the UK, incidents were reported in November 2024.

Shifts on the Battlefield Influence NATO’s Future

In Germany alone, there were over 1,000 reports of suspicious drones flying over military installations where German defense personnel and Ukrainian forces were conducting training in 2025. “They’re definitely testing how the authorities respond,” commented Elizabeth Breaux from the Atlantic Council. “I mean, who knows how the public might react—will they panic, point fingers at the government?”

These incidents occurred in 12 NATO countries and Ireland, causing frequent closures at major airports, affecting military operations, and infringing upon some of Europe’s most sensitive military sites.

In 2025, unidentified drones targeted military bases in the Netherlands and Belgium, where US B61-12 nuclear gravity bombs are rumored to be stored, along with a French ballistic missile submarine base.

Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, former commander of the U.S. Army in Europe, suggested, “This isn’t merely about espionage. It’s also a psychological tactic, aiming to create anxiety within the populace and pressure governments against supporting Ukraine.”

Operational Insights from Russian Drone Activity

The objectives of the Russian drone missions appear twofold: first, to gauge the effectiveness of allied military responses and second, to pinpoint weaknesses in essential infrastructures—both civilian and military. This includes logistics channels supporting Ukraine and sites linked to NATO’s nuclear deterrent.

Additionally, the campaign seems geared toward imposing both economic and psychological burdens on European society, disrupting civil aviation, and instigating doubts about airspace security. It’s about normalizing frequent, minor violations of airspace that don’t provoke an outright military reaction.

During late 2025, drone sightings soared, leading to temporary airport closures across several European nations, including Germany, Spain, and Denmark. Interestingly, Sweden has explicitly pointed the finger at Moscow, attributing a recent drone sighting to a Russian spy vessel near a French aircraft carrier.

In contrast, President Putin has dismissed claims of such Russian activities, questioning their validity. “What exactly does this imply?” he asked reporters, challenging them to provide any tangible evidence.

Drones Pose Threats Beyond Europe

While the focus has been on Europe, there have also been countless unexplained drone sightings in the United States in recent years. For instance, an unauthorized aircraft hovered over Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia for 17 consecutive days in December 2023, eluding military efforts to intercept it.

Moreover, in March, a drone was spotted flying near Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, potentially testing the base’s security protocols. Following various concerning drone sightings near vital U.S. infrastructure, the previous administration moved to declassify relevant investigations, resulting in claims that most incidents were linked to hobbyists, with little evidence pointing to foreign threats.

The IISS, however, asserts that the threats observed in Europe are far from innocent pursuits and suggests that the drones have likely been launched from shadow vessels at sea.