Suspicious Russian shadow fleet maneuver sparks Polish military action

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk revealed on May 21 that a vessel belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet had carried out suspicious maneuvers near a crucial power cable connecting Poland and Sweden.

Tusk, sharing details of the event on X, confirmed that Polish forces intervened to address the incident, and the Russian ship subsequently retreated to a Russian port, Caliber.Az reports.

Rosyjski statek z „floty cieni” objęty sankcjami wykonywał podejrzane manewry w pobliżu kabla energetycznego łączącego Polskę ze Szwecją. Po skutecznej interwencji naszego wojska statek odpłynął do jednego z rosyjskich portów. ORP „Heweliusz” płynie na miejsce zdarzenia.

— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) May 21, 2025

The Russian vessel, which is reportedly under sanctions, had been involved in unusual activities close to the power cable, prompting a swift response from Poland’s military forces.

The shadow fleet, often used for clandestine operations, has been the subject of heightened scrutiny, especially as tensions in the region continue to escalate. This latest incident is part of a series of confrontations involving Russia's maritime activities in European waters.

Just days earlier, the Estonian Navy had attempted to intercept the Russian-owned tanker Jaguar as it sailed through international waters in the Gulf of Finland toward the Russian port of Primorsk. The tanker is also believed to belong to the Russian shadow fleet. When Estonian border guards attempted to stop the vessel, its crew reportedly refused to comply with their orders, ultimately leaving Estonia's territorial waters.

The situation escalated further when Russia responded by deploying a fighter jet, which, according to Estonia, violated the country’s airspace. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna commented that this response demonstrated Russia’s readiness to defend its shadow fleet, raising concerns over increased militarization in the region.

By Vafa Guliyeva