Revolutionizing City Skies: Vodafone And Manna Bring Drone Delivery Into The Mainstream
Urban Air Mobility Revolutionized by Vodafone and Manna In recent years, urban air mobility (UAM) …
01. October 2025
French Naval Forces Grasp Russian-Linked Tanker Behind Copenhagen Airport Drone Attack
France Seizes Shadow Fleet Tanker Suspected in Copenhagen Airport Drone Attack
French naval forces have intercepted and seized the PUSHPA, a sanctioned Russian shadow fleet oil tanker suspected of launching drones that forced the shutdown of Copenhagen Airport. The vessel, carrying approximately 115,000 tons (around 127,000 U.S. tons) of oil, was apprehended after failing to prove its nationality and refusing to comply with authorities’ orders.
The seizure marks a crucial escalation in Western efforts to counter Russia’s shadow fleet operations, which have been increasingly used as a means of launching attacks against critical civilian infrastructure. This incident represents one of the first confirmed cases linking these sanctioned vessels to hostile drone operations targeting airports and other vital infrastructure.
The PUSHPA was identified as one of three tankers suspected of serving as launch platforms for drones that disrupted Copenhagen Airport operations. According to Danish defense officials, the vessel was positioned approximately 70 nautical miles (around 81 miles) from Copenhagen during the drone attacks, which Denmark’s defense minister characterized as a “hybrid attack.”
NATO warships monitored the PUSHPA during the incident, and the Danish government is now considering enhanced anti-drone countermeasures to protect critical infrastructure from similar maritime-based drone operations. These measures are expected to include advanced surveillance systems, improved communication networks, and enhanced cybersecurity protocols.
The PUSHPA exemplifies the challenges posed by Russia’s shadow fleet, which has been increasingly used as a means of launching attacks against critical civilian infrastructure. The vessel has undergone multiple registry changes and was sanctioned by the UK in October 2024 and the EU in February 2025 for transporting Russian crude oil through irregular shipping practices.
Tracking data shows that the vessel departed the Russian port of Primorsk on September 20, 2025, transiting through the Baltic Sea and North Sea toward the English Channel before interception. The tanker was previously detained in Estonia due to registry irregularities and safety deficiencies.
Russia’s shadow fleet now comprises approximately 17% of the world’s active tankers – nearly 1,000 vessels with over 100 million tons deadweight. These predominantly aging vessels operate without valid registries or proper insurance, enabling Russia to evade international sanctions imposed following its invasion of Ukraine. Over 100 of these vessels are currently blacklisted by the EU and UK.
The French prosecutor’s office is leading the investigation into the PUSHPA case with cooperation from multiple international authorities. This marks a significant development in the efforts to counter Russia’s shadow fleet operations, which have been increasingly used as a means of launching attacks against critical civilian infrastructure.
The PUSHPA case reveals a disturbing evolution in hybrid warfare tactics – repurposing commercial vessels as mobile drone launch platforms capable of disrupting critical civilian infrastructure from international waters. The 70-nautical-mile standoff distance during the Copenhagen attack demonstrates how shadow fleet vessels provide strategic positioning for drone operations while maintaining plausible deniability.
This incident raises urgent questions about maritime drone defense capabilities. How do authorities detect and attribute drone launches from vessels in international waters? What countermeasures can protect airports and other critical infrastructure from similar maritime-based drone threats?
Several defensive technologies have been proposed or are being developed to effectively counter maritime-based drone threats. These include advanced surveillance systems, improved cybersecurity protocols, anti-drone defense systems utilizing high-powered microwave technology or directed energy systems, and enhanced maritime domain awareness.
Advanced surveillance systems can help detect and track vessels suspected of launching drones. Improved cybersecurity protocols can protect critical infrastructure from cyber-attacks that could enable drone operations. Anti-drone defense systems can be used to detect and disrupt drone operations. Enhanced maritime domain awareness systems provide real-time information on vessel movements and activities in international waters, enabling authorities to respond more effectively to potential threats.
In the coming weeks and months, we can expect to see increased scrutiny of Russia’s shadow fleet operations and the development of new countermeasures to protect critical infrastructure from maritime-based drone threats. The French seizure of the PUSHPA marks an important step forward in this effort, highlighting the need for enhanced international cooperation and coordination to address these evolving threats.
The intersection of sanctions evasion and asymmetric drone warfare presents unprecedented challenges for Western security agencies, emphasizing the importance of continued vigilance and proactive efforts to counter these threats. As the stakes continue to rise, it is essential that authorities remain vigilant and proactive in their efforts to protect critical infrastructure from maritime-based drone threats.