Authorities in Germany are investigating a potential link between a recent incident involving a drone swarm over Schleswig-Holstein and a suspect cargo ship. According to reports in “Der Spiegel”, the investigation is focusing on a freighter approximately 100 meters in length that was operating in the Baltic Sea region near Kiel during the period when the drone sightings were reported.
Data concerning the ship’s movements, navigational patterns and positioning suggest a possible connection to the drones, sources within security circles have told the publication. The vessel is also reportedly equipped with technical capabilities that would permit the launch and landing of larger surveillance drones.
The ship, registered under a flag of convenience from a Caribbean state, was observed maintaining a proximity to the coastal area during the drone sightings, though consistently beyond German territorial waters. The distance between the freighter and coastal locations reportedly varied, extending several dozen kilometers.
Following its passage through the Kiel Fjord, the freighter altered its course eastward and subsequently docked at a port in Russia. Investigators believe it may be part of a so-called “shadow fleet” – a collection of vessels previously linked to hybrid activities, including the suspected deployment of espionage technology and damage to undersea cables in the Baltic Sea. Reports indicate that the ship’s crew predominantly consists of Russian nationals, with the vessel’s ownership situated in a Baltic state. The ongoing investigation is focused on determining the precise nature of the connection and the vessel’s ultimate purpose.
