German authorities intensify efforts against Russia's covert maritime operations
In a significant move aimed at enhancing security and enforcing sanctions, Germany has implemented new maritime measures to crack down on Russia's "shadow fleet" operating in the Baltic and North Seas. Starting July 1, 2025, oil tankers passing through these waters will be inspected for valid pollution insurance as part of heightened scrutiny targeting vessels with dubious ownership and safety standards [1].
This initiative forms part of a broader international push to disrupt Russia’s illicit oil exports via the shadow fleet. The fleet, which often avoids reputable insurers and European ports, operates using complex ownership structures, making regulation challenging [4]. The sanctions and maritime crackdowns by Germany and other countries, including the UK, Canada, EU, Switzerland, Ukraine, and New Zealand, aim to choke off revenues from these shadow tankers, increasing economic and environmental costs for Russia while supporting Ukraine by limiting Kremlin’s war financing [4].
In addition to insurance inspections, the German Navy has strengthened its presence in the Baltic Sea. This includes major NATO exercises like the annual Baltic Operations (BALT-OPS) and a strategic concept called "Naval Course 2035," unveiled in mid-May 2025. This strategy emphasizes deterrence, rapid readiness, and new technologies based on lessons from the Ukraine war. It signals Germany’s preparedness for any maritime emergencies and to counter covert operations by Russian vessels, including spying and infrastructure sabotage [2][3].
The increased naval presence is not limited to German forces. Norway is deploying F-35 fighter jets to Poland's Rzeszów airport this fall to protect Polish airspace and a crucial logistics hub for aid to Ukraine [5]. Meanwhile, military expert Nico Lange has emphasized the need to take action against the increasing numbers of Shahed drones, which pose a significant challenge for Ukraine's air defense [6].
Germany has been supporting Ukraine with weapons, aid, and its own expertise since the start of the Russian invasion. Lieutenant General Andreas Marlow reported "euphoric feedback" from the training of Ukrainian combat troops, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked Germany for its help, particularly in strengthening Ukraine's air defense [7][8]. The goal is to enter the serial production of air defense systems [8].
The conflict in Ukraine continues, with Ukrainian forces stabilizing the situation in the Sumy Oblast and further pushing back the Russian army from Sumy, the regional capital [10]. Russian forces have not yet entered the Dnipropetrovsk region, according to the head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation [11]. However, there have been reports of Russian aggression, such as the damage caused to the Estlink 2 submarine cable supplying electricity from Finland to Estonia by a shadow fleet tanker in late 2024 [2][3], and the recent rocket strike in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Donetsk, which reportedly resulted in a woman's death and injuries to two others, including a minor [12].
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has pledged support to Ukraine for potential reconstruction and emphasized the need for a full, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine [13]. As the conflict continues, the international community, including Germany, remains committed to aiding Ukraine and enforcing sanctions against Russia to bring about a peaceful resolution.
The German government, in line with international efforts, has integrated the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine into its community policy by providing weapons, aid, and expertise to support Ukraine since the Russian invasion [7][8]. Furthermore, within its politics, Germany has implemented employment policies focused on strengthening its naval presence and imposing sanctions on Russia to disrupt its illicit oil exports and strategic maneuvers, such as the "shadow fleet" operating in the Baltic and North Seas [1], [4]. These policies, along with those of other countries, aim to increase economic and environmental costs for Russia, while simultaneously supporting Ukraine and limiting Kremlin’s war financing [4].
