The article discusses a report from Denmark highlighting the alarming frequency of suspected Russian 'shadow ships' navigating its waters, with a total of 292 sightings recorded in 2025. This activity occurs despite harsher sanctions imposed by the EU, which aims to limit Russian maritime operations. The vessels in question are often old tankers with unclear ownership and are suspected of transporting Russian oil, with some potentially carrying weapons and hazardous chemicals.

The regular presence of these ships raises significant security concerns, as they are believed to be part of a broader strategy of Russian hybrid warfare. Experts indicate that these operations might serve purposes ranging from surveillance to sabotage against critical infrastructure within Denmark. While ships that end up on sanctions lists tend to significantly reduce their activities, the report suggests that current measures are still not sufficient to curb the economic impacts of such operations on the Russian war effort.

Moreover, the article explains that the revenue generated from oil remains crucial for supporting Russia's ongoing military actions. Despite international efforts to impose stricter regulations and monitoring on suspicious maritime traffic, the effectiveness of these sanctions in significantly hindering Russian operations is still being questioned. Overall, the article underscores the continuous challenge posed by Russian maritime activities in the context of geopolitical tensions and the necessity for heightened vigilance and robust responses from affected nations.