Last year, nearly a thousand Russian ‘shadow ships’ navigated the Baltic Sea, evading sanctions and posing threats to European infrastructure, alarming local observers in Estonia. Residents in Käsmu, like Kalle Jüriska and Aarne Vaik, have been monitoring these vessels, which are often disguised under changing flags. The presence of these ships brings concerns of potential sabotage, particularly after a recent incident damaged a crucial power line. Experts emphasize the need for enhanced security measures in the vulnerable Baltic region.
Last year, nearly a thousand Russian ‘shadow ships’ traversed the Baltic Sea, evading sanctions and threatening Europe’s infrastructure, raising alarms among Estonian observers.
In the quiet evenings, Kalle Jüriska and Aarne Vaik spot flickering lights on the horizon, identifying them as vessels from the Russian ‘shadow fleet.’
Residing in the coastal village of Käsmu, these men frequently stand by the shore, scanning the waters for the elusive silhouettes that have become increasingly common in their view. Vaik notes that these ships typically lurk just beyond the horizon, making them appear as mere glimpses above the waterline.
This unsettling sight weighs heavily on the minds of the local residents. The presence of these freighters brings the conflict in Ukraine alarmingly close to home. “It’s troubling because any moment could escalate,” states Jüriska.
Both Jüriska and Vaik have been closely monitoring the movements of the Russian shadow fleet off the Estonian coast for years.
Identifying Putin’s Oil Ships
Vaik operates a maritime museum by the sea. Having lived in Käsmu for three decades, he has always held a passion for maritime affairs. The village, with its modest population of around one hundred during winter, is known for producing many sea captains, including Jüriska, who has his own seafaring background.
He actively tracks the ‘shadow ships’ using online resources. “On the Baltic Sea maps, ships appear as dots; stationary ones are marked differently from those in motion,” explains Jüriska.
When they first spotted the suspicious vessels, their curiosity piqued. “We began to dig deeper,” recounts the 82-year-old Vaik. “Eventually, we realized they were Putin’s oil transports.”
Despite the embargo, over a dozen ships continue to deliver Russian crude oil straight to European ports.
Surging Presence in the Baltic
Reports indicate that as many as a thousand ‘shadow ships’ navigated the Baltic last year, often sailing under unusual and frequently changing flags to obscure their ownership.
Marek Kohv, an Estonian security expert at the International Center for Defence and Security in Tallinn, has closely monitored this issue. “Countries resort to shadow fleets when sanctions make conventional operations impossible,” he observes. “These vessels have complex ownership structures, complicating identification of their true owners.”
Kohv notes that the Russian shadow fleet has expanded since the onset of the Ukraine conflict, with Moscow managing to continue oil exports to nations like China and India.
However, these aging tankers pose serious environmental risks. “The greatest concern is the threat they pose to the environment,” Kohv asserts. “Many of these shadow ships are old and prone to leaks, lacking proper maintenance.”
Just last week, authorities scrutinized another tanker near Rügen—a disabled vessel carrying 99,000 tons of oil believed to be part of the Russian shadow fleet.
With increasing reports of potential sabotage in the Baltic Sea, the question remains: how can an inland sea be effectively safeguarded?
Instruments of Sabotage
Additionally, these vessels are being implicated in acts of sabotage against vital infrastructure.
A notable incident occurred on Christmas Day when the ‘Estlink 2’ power line, which connects Finland and Estonia, suddenly failed. This line is crucial for transmitting Finnish electricity to Estonia, leading to increased energy prices for consumers.
Finnish authorities quickly acted, detaining a ship suspected to be near the damaged cable—the Eagle S.
This Russian tanker, flagged under the Cook Islands, is believed to belong to the shadow fleet. Investigators assert its anchor was responsible for damaging the cable. Kohv highlights the alarming nature of the incident: “The anchor dragged over a hundred kilometers along the seabed—there’s no way the captain could have been unaware of it.” Eight crew members are currently under suspicion, and the ship is prevented from continuing due to numerous violations.
According to a hybrid warfare expert, Russia persistently targets Europe using hybrid tactics.
Vulnerability of Europe in the Baltic Sea
Meanwhile, Elering, the network operator in Tallinn, is grappling with the aftermath of the cable damage. Repair efforts could extend up to eight months.
Hannes Kont, the project director, cautions against underestimating the implications of such incidents. “If cables can be compromised as easily as Estlink 2, we face a significant problem—not just here, but across Europe,” warns Kont. “Whether for communication or energy, we depend on the connections between our nations.”
The pressing question is how to enhance the security of numerous cables resting on the seabed. NATO plans to bolster its military presence in the Baltic, including deploying underwater drones. The region is particularly susceptible, making monitoring imperative yet challenging.
Following the Estlink 2 incident, efforts are underway to fortify the remaining Estlink 1 cable.
Cutting Off the World
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo expressed pride in the authorities’ swift action against the ship linked to the damage this time.
He advocates for closer collaboration among Baltic Sea nations, emphasizing the role of the EU and NATO in this endeavor. “The Baltic Sea is central to the EU, and therefore, it must be fortified,” says Orpo. “We need to explore ways to enhance military protection of the sea with our NATO partners.”
In Käsmu, Vaik and Jüriska harbor little optimism that the shadow ships will soon vanish from their horizon. “The situation is only going to deteriorate,” Jüriska warns. “They are relentless; they aim to isolate us from the rest of the world.”
The reality is unsettling. “What we are witnessing is a conflict unfolding right at our doorstep,” adds Vaik. Although they often perceive the shadow ships as mere glimmers in the distance, they remain acutely aware of their persistent presence—and they dread the day these vessels might draw nearer.
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