Russian ships spying under the cover of bad weather? Norwegian intelligence warns

Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale war with Ukraine, Russian ships have sought refuge from bad weather in Norwegian fjords at least once a week. Norwegian counterintelligence PST warns that they may collect data on the infrastructure and military capabilities of Norway and its allies.

Data published on Friday by the Norwegian Armed Forces Operational Command shows that from 2022 to the end of February 2026, approximately 230 such cases were recorded. Some ships appeared multiple times.

Russians most often asked for permission to shelter right after the start of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In less than a month, between February 26 and March 21, 2022, difficult weather conditions or faults were cited as the reason for entering Norwegian waters in 51 cases.

Some of the water areas where Russian units sought refuge were located directly next to oil and gas pipelines and telecommunications cables, as well as military infrastructure.

PST warned that Russian units could be used to map critical infrastructure and reconnoiter military capabilities, as well as potentially support sabotage activities against Norway and its allies.

“To hide intelligence activities, the Russians will use civilian ships – both at sea, in fjords and in ports,” the counterintelligence noted in its assessment of threats to state security.

In recent years, there have also been interventions against Russian trawlers. In 2025, the Norwegian authorities seized the Azurit vessel, which was considered a security threat and did not comply with the order to leave the port. In other cases, cutters were stopped or escorted to ports, including: to Tromsoe, due to violations of fishing regulations.

Mieszko Czarnecki (PAP)

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