Putin raises the stakes on ‘ghost fleet’ security, as NATO launches war games in the Baltic Sea
Share and Follow

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

NATO navies are putting on a display of maritime might in the Baltic Sea this month, as thousands of personnel from 17 countries aboard 50 vessels take part in war games led by the U.S.’ 6th Fleet. 

Of the nine countries that share a Baltic Sea coastline, only Russia is not a NATO member, and June’s BALTOPS exercise aims to ensure those other countries can work together to defend the area, at a time when Moscow is turning up the heat. 

“This year’s BALTOPS is more than just an exercise,” said U.S. Vice Admiral J.T. Anderson in a press release this week. “It’s a visible demonstration of our Alliance’s resolve, adaptability and maritime strength.” 

Over the last year there’s been growing disquiet about Russia’s malign influence in the Baltic Sea region, with several incidents of severed undersea cables. Suspicion has fallen on Russia’s fleet of so-called “ghost” or “shadow” ships: hundreds of aging vessels, mostly oil tankers flying under foreign flags that are used to circumvent Western sanctions or trade in military hardware. 

The oil tanker Eagle S is seen anchored near the Kilpilahti port in Porvoo, on the Gulf of Finland on Jan. 13, 2025.

The oil tanker Eagle S is seen anchored near the Kilpilahti port in Porvoo, on the Gulf of Finland on Jan. 13, 2025. (Vesa Moilanen/Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images)

Does the Russian navy even have the capacity to escort every single ghost fleet ship in the Baltic? That seems unlikely, according to some. 

“It’s an escalation, of course, of Russian misbehavior in the Baltic Sea. But in practical terms I’m not sure it’s going to make that much difference,” Lawrence said. 

“Russia’s Baltic Sea fleet has always been the junior cousin of the Russian navy, and it’s never been particularly well-equipped or enlarged, but it’s still the biggest national navy operating in the Baltic, and they have ships that are attuned to the Baltic Sea, which is shallow, and its salinity is such that you need special kinds of sensors. And they know how to hide ships in the archipelagos of Sweden or Finland, so in that regard, they have a certain amount of specialist capability,” Lawrence explained.

The Baltic Sea war games this month – with the U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Paul Ignatius and the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney taking part – serve to remind the Russians of the power of NATO’s combined naval assets in the region. 

USS Paul Ignatius

The guided missile destroyer USS Paul Ignatius participates in a steam formation with NATO ships during exercise Baltic Operations, June 5, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. John Allen)

And some of the smaller navies will be reassured by the presence of the American warships. 

A few weeks ago, Estonia’s navy brought one suspected shadow fleet ship into its territorial waters for an inspection, and it complied. But when the Estonians tried the same tactic for a second time, the ship refused to stop and wouldn’t come into port. 

“That makes things more difficult for other nations because the shadow fleet is learning that it can just ignore what NATO navies do and there’s little that NATO can do in that situation, especially if there are Russian ships escorting the shadow fleet,” said Lawrence. 

“But I don’t think NATO nations are going to back down. They will still follow and challenge these shadow fleet ships, or even look at other legislation, like requiring proof of insurance, to stop them from transiting the Baltic Sea.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Macy's Fourth of July fireworks light up NYC sky

Macy’s Fireworks Illuminate the New York City Sky on Independence Day

The 49th annual Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks show left New Yorkers…
Independence Day 2025: Chicago-area suburbs celebrate 4th of July with events, including Aurora, Bartlett, Highland Park | LIVE

“2025 Independence Day Celebrations in Chicago Suburbs: Aurora, Bartlett, Highland Park Events | LIVE Coverage”

AURORA, Ill. (WLS) — The red, white, blue was on full display…
'There's a Tall Club?' Yes, and it's in Michigan this week

Is There Really a Tall Club? Indeed, and It’s Happening in Michigan Now

() The average height of people in Michigan is a bit higher…
Ketanji Brown Jackson turns independent streak loose on fellow justices

Ketanji Brown Jackson shows her independent streak among fellow justices

To hear Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson tell it, it’s a “perilous moment…
Watch the gag reel from Marvel Studios' "Thunderbolts*," now available on digital

“Enjoy the blooper reel from Marvel Studios’ “Thunderbolts” on digital platforms now!”

ByGabriella Medina Friday, July 4, 2025 4:05PM Marvel Studios’ “Thunderbolts*” is now…
Texas 4-year-old was left in hot van after field trip: Affidavit

Affidavit states that after a field trip, a Texas child of 4 years was forgotten inside a hot van.

()A probable cause affidavit obtained by affiliate KVEO revealed new details in…
Bryan Kohberger guilty plea supported by victim's family

Bryan Kohberger could be facing time in a well-known prison

() Bryan Kohberger will spend the rest of his life in a…
How America's 'experts' burned their last shreds of credibility

The Diminishing Credibility of American Experts

The first six months of the Trump administration have not been kind…