Russian spy ships suspected of espionage in Baltic and North Seas.

According to information published by Suddeutsche Zeitung on September 24, 2024, alarming activity by Russian ships in the Baltic and North Seas has raised suspicions of espionage and sabotage of critical infrastructure.
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Russian Project 865 Hydrographic survey vessel Sibirykov. (Picture source: Сделано у нас)

The investigation, which involved journalists from six countries, revealed that Russian research ships, often equipped with military technology, have been spying on gas pipelines, data cables, wind farms, and military infrastructure in the region.

One incident from October 2023 highlights the concern. The containership Newnew Polar Bear abruptly slowed down while crossing the Balticconnector pipeline, causing severe damage to the pipeline with its anchor. This came just months after the Russian seabed survey ship Sibiryakov was observed performing suspicious maneuvers, at least once directly over the pipeline, sparking suspicions that it might have been preparing for sabotage.

Ships like the Sibiryakov are part of a broader network of Russian vessels conducting surveillance missions in the area. These research ships are said to be under the control of the Russian Ministry of Defense and are fitted with sophisticated equipment, including military-grade radar systems.

The investigation tracked 72 Russian research vessels, which have made 428 voyages since the start of the war in Ukraine. Analysis of over 1,000 Morse code transmissions and AIS (Automatic Identification System) data points indicate that these activities have increased in recent months. Ships have been detected entering the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of several EU countries at low speeds, often below 5 knots, a tactic experts associate with espionage missions. Many of these incursions were in close proximity to vital infrastructure like gas pipelines and offshore wind farms.

In Germany alone, over 2,600 Russia-affiliated vessels have reportedly made “area visits” in German territorial waters since the Ukraine conflict began, with 143 of them flying the Russian flag. This prompted German authorities to increase their surveillance efforts, with government figures confirming that since 2023, 107 escort missions by police and navy frigates have been conducted to monitor suspicious activity in the country’s EEZ.

One notable case involved the Yevgeniy Gorigledzha, a Russian vessel that loitered for more than eight hours near Fehmarn Island, a known NATO submarine diving area. The ship’s erratic zigzag movements raised concerns of potential espionage, leading to intervention by both a German police ship and a navy vessel.

NATO experts warn that these activities could be preparatory steps for sabotage. Many of these Russian ships are believed to carry advanced military equipment, such as mini-submarines and underwater drones, which could be used to disrupt or damage critical infrastructure in the event of heightened geopolitical tensions.