Yesterday at 21:51
Swedish Navy Operations Chief Captain Marko Petkovich reported that Russian military personnel are present on some of Russia’s shadow fleet ships, according to an interview with SVT, cited by TVP World, UATV English reports.
“We have seen and received information that military personnel are aboard some shadow fleet vessels,” Petkovich stated.
Additionally, the Swedish Coast Guard confirmed SVT reports that the Russian Baltic Fleet maintains a fairly constant presence in several special zones along maritime routes.
These reports follow sightings earlier in December of military personnel on tankers carrying Russian oil.
According to the Coast Guard, between 500 and 1,000 Russian shadow fleet vessels are currently active at sea, including over 300 sailing under foreign flags.
Sweden’s navy also reports that it encounters Russian submarines in the Baltic Sea almost weekly and is preparing for an increase in their numbers in the event of a ceasefire or truce in Ukraine.
This underscores the growing military dimension of Russia’s shadow fleet, heightening security risks for European waters.
