Russia’s Shadow Fleet Launches Drone Campaign Across Europe
Russia’s shadow fleet has initiated a drone campaign across Europe. This move aims to monitor military sites and evaluate NATO’s air defenses. The International Institute for Strategic Studies reported 144 suspected drones spotted near vital areas in Germany, France, and the UK.
In a recent incident, a commercial ship sank and its crew disappeared after a coordinated air-and-sea drone attack near Bulgaria, a NATO member. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attributed the attack to Russia. He cautioned that Moscow is preparing a larger assault.
Another vessel sustained significant damage and caught fire within Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone. According to drone expert Cameron Chell, these strikes indicate a dangerous escalation and suggest a possible larger invasion stance by Russia. He explained that the Geran-4 aerial drone or the Maran surface vehicle might have been used in the initial strike.
Reports from Reuters state the dual attack happened about 70 nautical miles off the eastern Bulgarian town of Byala. This event has brought the conflict into a NATO member’s economic zone. Zelenskyy mentioned that Ukrainian intelligence and security services are investigating the attack thoroughly. He confirmed that Ukraine’s navy has been in communication with Bulgaria about the attack involving maritime and aerial drones.
Cameron Chell highlighted the significance of the attack’s location and hybrid nature, emphasizing Russia’s strategy to introduce uncertainty in the region. The blend of air and surface attacks shows a shift in military tactics.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev reported that two commercial vessels were targeted by drones, describing the attack as a blatant breach of international law. British maritime risk group Vanguard identified the sunken vessel as the cargo ship Alfa Watan, which suffered extensive damage before sinking with an undisclosed cargo and unknown crew count embarked.
A Bulgarian ferry, Dioscuria, nearby, responded to the incident after hearing explosions and distress calls. Rescuers found overturned lifeboats and floating life jackets in the debris.
Search-and-rescue operations by the Bulgarian Navy, Air Force, and Border Police are ongoing to find the missing crew and address environmental risks. Chell noted the coordination of the attacks, with two ships targeted almost simultaneously. One vessel, the general cargo ship ABLE, caught fire while transporting grain, according to Vanguard.
Prime Minister Radev convened an emergency session, addressing concerns about the origin of the drones and the conflict’s expanding scope. He stressed that attacks within Bulgaria’s economic zone are entirely unacceptable.
Chell warned that targeting ships within this zone might disrupt essential shipping corridors, instilling fear among operators. He compared Russia’s strategy to Iran’s tactics in the Strait of Hormuz, aimed at creating maritime disruption.
Amid a rise in Black Sea commercial shipping attacks, Zelenskyy claimed Ukrainian intelligence has uncovered plans for another major Russian assault. He urged global partners to support Ukraine with defensive capabilities, emphasizing political will, particularly from the United States and Europe.
Emma Bussey from Fox News Digital contributed this report. Previously, she worked with The Telegraph across various desks, including foreign, politics, and culture.