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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Kate Devlin

How Russia used shadow fleet tankers to help spy on UK’s nuclear sites

United States United Kingdom Russia IISS Kremlin
  • Experts from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) believe the Kremlin orchestrated a significant drone surveillance campaign targeting nuclear sites across Europe , including the UK .
  • This campaign allegedly involved drones launched from Russian-crewed cargo vessels, such as the HAV Dolphin, which was reportedly docked near Hull during earlier mysterious drone sightings over US military bases in the UK.
  • The IISS report suggests this concerted surveillance, described as part of the 'Kremlin’s wider unconventional war on Europe,' occurred between August 2024 and February 2026, targeting facilities in the UK, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
  • An analysis of 144 incidents over an 18-month period concluded that Russian intelligence operated with 'substantial impunity,' highlighting a strategic failure in allied air defence designed for conventional threats.
  • The findings follow previous drone sightings over sensitive US military bases in the UK in November 2024, and coincide with the UK government's plans for increased defence spending and new laws to counter Russian interference.

IN FULL

Russia ‘launched drones to spy on Britain’s nuclear sites’ during 15-month campaign

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