Russian Spy Drones Pose Rising Threat to Germany’s Security

The threat from Russian spy drones over Germany is intensifying, creating significant security concerns. These drones are being launched not only from land but also from the sea, complicating the task of identifying which authorities are responsible for addressing the issue. As tensions rise, the German military and police forces face questions about jurisdiction and operational capacity.

Recent reports indicate that Russian drones have shifted from surveillance missions to potentially launching operations from vessels at sea. Since the beginning of the year, authorities have recorded hundreds of drone incursions, targeting both military installations and critical civilian infrastructure, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals.

Sabine Süterlin-Waack, the interior minister of Schleswig-Holstein, and Daniela Behrens, her counterpart in Lower Saxony, announced that a freighter named Scanlark was intercepted last weekend at the Kiel-Holtenau lock amid suspicions of espionage and sabotage. The vessel is believed to have served as a base for drone operations over essential infrastructure in northern Germany. Reports suggest that a drone equipped with surveillance technology may have recorded images of a naval vessel.

The operation has been described by the ministers as a “strong signal” of the rule of law, emphasizing the necessity for coordinated efforts among coastal states, which are particularly vulnerable due to their strategic maritime infrastructure. The Scanlark, a 75-meter vessel registered in the Caribbean since 2006, reportedly operates for an Estonian shipping company and was en route to Finland after departing from Rotterdam.

Investigations reveal that Russia employs a so-called “shadow fleet,” utilizing older tankers and cargo ships to circumvent EU and US sanctions on its energy sector. A joint investigation published in August 2023 by various media outlets, including Follow the Money and Süddeutsche Zeitung, indicated that these vessels could be launching drones for reconnaissance missions over Germany.

Hans-Jakob Schindler, head of the Counter Extremism Project, stated that it is “entirely possible” for these ships to facilitate drone operations, given the frequent activity of the shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea. This raises concerns about how effectively authorities can monitor these vessels, given the vastness of the Baltic and the high number of ships in operation. Schindler cautioned that complete surveillance is impractical and may not represent the best use of resources.

Jurisdictional challenges complicate the response to the drone threat. Depending on their location, either the police or the Bundeswehr is responsible for addressing drone activity within German territory. If drones are launched from international waters, intervention is not possible until they enter German airspace. Even then, Schindler noted, “it remains unclear whether responsibility is sufficiently defined and whether the legal framework exists.”

Detection capabilities also vary, with larger drones being easier to spot than smaller ones. Schindler explained that while military zones typically have no-fly restrictions, the situation becomes murkier for critical infrastructure, where authorities must assess whether a drone is conducting surveillance or operating for recreational purposes.

The German Federal Interior Ministry (BMI) has affirmed that federal and state authorities maintain ongoing communication with infrastructure operators and other stakeholders. While established reporting channels exist, the response strategies must adapt to the evolving nature of threats.

In the previous legislative term, a proposal was made to amend the German air security law, allowing the Bundeswehr to intervene and shoot down illegal drones if police were unable to act. This proposal was not passed, and Konstantin von Notz, a Green MP and chair of the Parliamentary Control Committee, criticized the opposition for blocking the measure for “party-political reasons.” A ministry spokesperson confirmed that the draft has lapsed, and any adjustments must be resubmitted to the Bundestag. The new government has yet to clarify its position on updating the Air Security Act.

The increase in espionage incidents involving drones across Europe has also raised alarms since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. Recently, a drone marked with Russian letters crashed in a field near Lublin, Poland, after crossing into Polish airspace from Ukraine. Similar incidents involving drone debris have been reported at the Belarusian border, leading Polish authorities to express concerns about potential deliberate provocations, indicating that the drone threat extends beyond Germany to the entire eastern NATO region.