Drones persistently orbiting the Federal Police vessel for an extended duration.
In the North Sea, a German federal police ship monitored a Russian freighter bound for Belgium. However, during the operation, the officers reported a mysterious presence - multiple drones that allegedly followed the police ship for nearly three hours.
According to a confidential situation report obtained by "Spiegel Online," the incident occurred on the night of May 17. The German patrol ship, "BP 81 Potsdam," was tracking the Russian freighter "Lauga" around 140 km north of Borkum when the crew spotted a fleet of drones hovering over both vessels.
The officers reported seeing green and red position lights but could not identify the drone type. Due to the time of day and the available equipment, no pictures could be taken, the report says. It remains unclear whether the drones were launched from the Russian freighter. Authorities in Belgium have been requested to inspect the freighter for any evidence upon its arrival, though none was found.
This event follows a growing trend of suspected Russian drone activity targeting German maritime security and critical infrastructure. Between February 27 and March 7, security authorities recorded almost daily incidents of drones flying over critical infrastructure, including maritime bases, harbors, and chemical parks in Northern and Eastern Germany. The drones, with a wing span of up to five meters, have posed significant challenges for authorities, making it difficult to disable or apprehend the operators.
The Bundeswehr has taken measures to secure offshore wind farms and submarine cables in the North and Baltic Seas, responding to suspicions that Russian vessels may pose a threat to underwater infrastructure. Additionally, German operators of offshore facilities are now required to install radar systems and share data with maritime authorities, raising concerns about increased costs and potential risks to critical infrastructure being targeted.
These developments come against the backdrop of growing concerns about Russian espionage and sabotage activities targeting underwater cables and energy infrastructure. NATO and European countries are taking measures to counter these threats, including heightened patrols and surveillance, signaling that they view the risk as ongoing and significant.
In light of the incident involving drone activity near a German patrol ship and a Russian freighter in the North Sea, discussions about strengthening the common foreign and security policy among European countries have intensified. As cybersecurity and technology continue to play pivotal roles in politics and general-news, the need for political cooperation to address these evolving threats has become paramount. In this case, a collaborative approach could help identify the origin of the drones and ensure the security of maritime operations and critical infrastructure.
