According to documents regarding the tanker's crew obtained by Danwatch, the men did not perform any official functions on the ship. They were described only as “additional crew” – without further details. From information leaked from a Russian database [Danwatch uzyskał je dzięki swoim źródłom w Rosji] However, it appears that one of the crew members is a former commander of a Spetsnaz unit operating in the Russian Königsberg region bordering Poland.
He commanded a special military unit subordinated to the Königsberg customs and border guard, consisting of two combat units specializing in, among others, in diving. He headed it until 2009, after which, according to official data, he has no official employment history.
Danish pilots from the national pilot service DanPilot are increasingly encountering mysterious “green men” on ships from the shadow fleet.
According to Jacob Kaarsbo, former chief analyst for the armed forces' intelligence service and now an independent security analyst, this discovery proves that Russia is using civilian ships in the conflict with NATO.
-This highlights that the shadow fleet is being used for military purposes. Regardless of whether a person remains in the military system or in a private army, he or she is ultimately controlled by the intelligence service of Russia's Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), the analyst says.
The tanker had passed through Danish waters four times when the former Spetsnaz commander and his Russian companion were spotted on board. It is unknown whether they are still on the ship.
Jacob Kaarsbo demands more decisive action from NATO: – Make sure that all documents, registration and insurance documents are in order and that [cywilnych statkó] there were no military personnel. There should be a joint NATO operation that would use the fleet to take decisive action.
Increased threat
The GRU is a famous Russian intelligence service, suspected of carrying out many sabotage operations and assassinations in the West.
Most recently, on December 4 this year, the UK imposed sanctions on a number of individuals associated with the GRU in connection with the 2018 murder of Dawn Sturgess, who [przypadkowo — celem miał być podwójny agent Siergiej Skripal i jego córka] she was poisoned with novichok, a special nerve agent developed in Russia.
If GRU operates in Danish waters, it means that “the threat to Denmark has increased”, says Jacob Kaarsbo.
— We know how the Russians operate and that they use every possible unconventional means to attack their enemies. There is a high risk that ships from this shadow fleet will be used for this purpose, the analyst warns.
The latest 2024 risk assessment by the Danish Military Intelligence Service (FE) concluded that Russia poses an increased threat to NATO countries and that tension levels will increase if the shadow fleet receives, for example, a Russian naval escort.
In recent months, Russia has begun to identify more with the shadow fleet [tankowców pływających pod różnymi banderami z ładunkami ropy naftowej, do których Kreml dotąd oficjalnie się nie przyznał] — as Western countries tightened control, Moscow began to engage its armed forces to defend tankers.
For example, on September 19 this year. three Russian fighter jets violated Estonian airspace to force the Estonian Coast Guard to withdraw as they tried to stop a shadow fleet ship.
“Research ships” and “intelligence element
According to Jacob Kaarsbo, all this shows that the shadow fleet is increasingly directly linked to Russia's military operations.
We have previously seen the Russians use so-called research ships with uniformed personnel on board. They used them to map undersea infrastructure and test NATO response patterns and the like. It is therefore natural to assume that expanding the operation to include a shadow fleet may include an intelligence element from the Russians
– says.
The ship carrying the former Spetsnaz leader is currently in the Mediterranean Sea and heading towards Russia.
Danwatch has repeatedly tried to obtain comment from various Danish authorities regarding the uniformed Russians on civilian ships. While the ministries remain silent, the Ministry of Defense replied that it had no knowledge of the presence of Russian soldiers on civilian ships in the Danish straits.
He justifies this by saying that it cannot be clearly stated that they have links with the army. However, the Armed Forces Command neither confirms nor denies that uniformed Russians sail on civilian ships.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also did not want to comment on the information disclosed by Danwatch – instead it issued a short statement: “In general, it can be said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other Danish authorities exchange information with our foreign partners on an ongoing basis, and we cooperate with other countries in relevant regional and international forums.”
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
