Russian ships, including oceanographic research vessels, have been used for espionage activities in the North Sea for years. However, recent suspicions suggest that there may be hundreds of Russian civilian ships involved in espionage in this region. An investigation by a Dutch organization, ‘Follow the money’, in collaboration with Belgian business newspapers revealed that at least 167 Russian civilian ships are engaged in espionage activities in areas of the North Sea where energy infrastructure is concentrated. This surveillance has been ongoing for years but intensified after Russia’s attack on Ukraine in February 2022.
European intelligence services are closely monitoring over 5,600 Russian civilian ships to prevent potential sabotage activities. There are concerns that Russia may be planning larger attacks to disrupt critical infrastructure in Europe in response to the conflict in Ukraine. Recent incidents, such as the arrests of individuals plotting attacks on military bases and strategic infrastructure, have raised alarms about the imminent threat of sabotage. European countries fear that Russia’s espionage activities are part of a larger plan to weaken support for Ukraine and create instability in the region.
The investigation also highlighted the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in Europe, such as telecommunications cables, energy pipelines, and military facilities, to potential terrorist attacks or sabotage. European authorities are particularly concerned about the possibility of sabotaging underwater infrastructure, which could have catastrophic consequences for the region. The threat of Russian espionage and sabotage activities has led European governments to strengthen security measures and enhance cooperation to address these challenges effectively.
In response to these threats, several European countries signed a security agreement in April to enhance surveillance in regions suspected of Russian espionage. NATO and the European Union are also involved in monitoring these areas for potential threats. The increased surveillance revealed that more than 150 Russian civilian ships, ranging from container ships to fishing boats, were engaged
