Report warns Russia using shadow fleet to probe NATO drone defenses

A report by the International Institute of Strategic Studies reveals Russia is using a shadow fleet of sanction-busting ships to launch drones near NATO military bases and nuclear sites in Europe, testing alliance defenses and causing airspace disruptions. Between 2024 and 2026, over 1,000 suspicious drone sightings were recorded in Germany, with similar incidents in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, and Denmark, targeting critical infrastructure and military facilities.