Set up by the investigative journalism platform Pointer, the investigation, dubbed “Russian Spy Ships,” focused on analyzing 72 Russian research vessels previously linked to espionage or sabotage.
Researchers decoded over 1,000 intercepted Morse code messages and analyzed public location data, known as AIS signals, from the ships.
They found that since the war in Ukraine began in 2022, the vessels have undertaken 428 voyages, with suspicious movements recorded during at least 54 of these trips within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of European countries.
These movements included sailing extremely slowly for hours, following a striking zigzag pattern, or stopping completely, as shown by AIS signals in 31 cases and Morse code messages in 23.
Most suspicious activities were recorded off the coasts of Denmark (15), followed by the United Kingdom (9), Estonia (9), Norway (8), the Netherlands (7), Finland (4), and Germany (2).
The research revealed that these anomalous movements typically occurred near critical infrastructure, targeting areas like a NATO submarine diving zone near Germany, Dutch wind farms, and the Baltic connector gas pipeline linking Estonia and Finland.
The goal is sabotage
James Appathurai, Assistant Secretary General at NATO, said that Russia’s aim behind such actions is to carry out acts of sabotage.
He said: “They are mapping all of our critical infrastructure with highly sophisticated equipment, with the aim of sabotaging it.
“In the past six months, we have seen an increase in threats against our countries. These include sabotage, political interference, disinformation, cyberattacks, forced migration, and attacks on critical undersea infrastructure.
“They are all part of a pattern that we need to defend ourselves against. We are doing a lot, but we are not yet sufficiently prepared.”
Officially, the Russian vessels claim to be conducting hydrographic surveys or underwater rescue operations.
However, the research indicates they also have military roles, with armed soldiers, including members of the Spetsnaz, a military unit specializing in reconnaissance and sabotage.
A former crew member of a research vessel revealed: “Russia is looking at critical infrastructure from a strategic point of view. If you destroy the submarine pipelines in case of war, you have an advantage.
“The direct function of the research vessels is therefore to scan the seabed and provide information to the army.”
While maritime law permits Russians to navigate freely through the EEZ and investigate the seabed, suspicious Russian vessels are monitored by NATO naval forces during these times.
More aggressive approach required
Bart Groothuis, a Dutch Member of the European Parliament, said a more aggressive approach was needed.
He said: “Sit on them aggressively, hinder them. You have to take this threat seriously.
“As long as we don’t send our services to run amok, those Russians feel free to carry out those operations here.”
