Suspicious Drone Sightings Over Kiel Link to Alleged Russian Shadow Fleet

Recent drone sightings over Kiel have drawn the attention of investigators, who are exploring the potential involvement of Russian cargo ships in these suspicious activities. According to reports, the investigations suggest a link between an approximately 100-meter-long freighter and the drone flights observed in the Baltic Sea near Kiel.

The vessel in question exhibited behavior and location data that raised red flags among security officials. It reportedly possessed the technical capabilities to launch larger drone models, such as fixed-wing aircraft. Shortly after traversing the Kiel Fjord, the ship docked at a Russian port, with its crew primarily composed of Russian nationals.

The drones sighted over Kiel included fixed-wing models, which differ significantly from typical quadcopters. One of these drones was noted to have a wingspan exceeding four meters, allowing it to fly at higher altitudes and over greater distances than standard consumer drones. Experts believe that such fixed-wing drones are often associated with professional or state-sponsored operations due to their superior flight performance and payload capacity.

Significantly, the suspicious freighter is registered under the flag of a Caribbean nation and was reported to be in close proximity to the drone flights, albeit outside of German territorial waters. This positioning, with a distance of several dozen kilometers, suggests that remote drone operation from the ship could be technically feasible, possibly utilizing satellite support.

In a related incident earlier in September, the cargo ship 'Scanlark' was searched in Kiel and is under investigation for allegedly launching a drone that captured targeted images of a naval vessel. Ongoing inquiries are focusing on five Russian crew members, who are suspected of espionage and sabotage activities.

The term 'Russian shadow fleet' refers to a significant number of aging and often poorly maintained oil tankers that Russia employs to circumvent international sanctions while continuing to export oil at global market prices. Some of these vessels are equipped with suspicious communication technology and are believed to be involved in sabotage operations, such as damage to underwater cables in the Baltic Sea.