Russia’s Shadow Fleet Drone Campaign Across Europe

Russia has launched a drone campaign across Europe using its shadow fleet, according to a report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). These drones target military sites to test NATO’s air defenses. A total of 144 suspected drones have been seen near sensitive locations in countries like Germany, France, and the UK.

As NATO members prepare to gather in Turkey, their focus will be on drone warfare and Russia’s testing of the alliance. Russia uses older ships from its shadow fleet to deploy drones, aiming to gauge the response time of NATO allies.

The report indicates that from August 2024 to February 2026, drones were spotted near military and nuclear sites in several European countries. This includes over American air bases in the UK in November 2024.

In Germany, more than 1,000 suspicious drone sightings were noted in 2025. These occurred over defense companies and bases training Ukrainian soldiers.

Elisabeth Braw of the Atlantic Council raises questions about how this activity might test public reaction and governmental response in a potential crisis. This campaign also occurred across airspace over a dozen NATO members and Ireland, causing disruptions at major aviation hubs and affecting military operations.

In 2025, mystery drones targeted bases in the Netherlands and Belgium, known for housing US nuclear bombs and France’s submarine base at Île Longue. Retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges commented on the combination of espionage and psychological tactics employed by Russia to induce fear and undermine public confidence.

The strategy seems to assess vulnerabilities within key infrastructures and command structures. It also imposes stress on societies by disrupting aviation and undermining airspace security. By normalizing low-level airspace violations, these actions aim to avoid provoking a direct military response from NATO.

Despite accusations, Russian President Vladimir Putin denies any sabotage or surveillance across Europe. However, IISS has linked drone incidents to Russia’s shadow fleet. Drones from these vessels often evade radar.

In early January 2025, a vessel named Arctica was near the Danish coast while drones were seen at a nearby port. Similar incidents led to the temporary closure of Copenhagen Airport. Shadow ships, such as Arctica and Boracay, were discovered in the area during these times.

This issue isn’t isolated to Europe. Unexplained drone activity has also been noted in the United States over the past few years. For example, unauthorized aircraft appeared at Virginia’s Joint Base Langley-Eustis for 17 consecutive days in December 2023. In March, drones flew near Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana in a manner suggesting attempts to avoid detection.

The Trump administration addressed these concerns in late 2024 by declassifying related investigations, concluding most activities involved hobbyists and not foreign threats. However, the IISS identifies the European incidents as deliberate acts launched from Russia’s shadow vessels.

Jennifer Griffin is the national security correspondent for FOX News, based in Washington D.C. She joined the network in October 1999.