Russia is deploying armed guards on tankers of its “shadow fleet,” which makes NATO countries exercise great caution. The ships, according to the Finnish publication Helsingin Sanomat, now employ military personnel and employees of private military companies, mainly former military personnel and representatives of PMC Wagner.

Finnish and Estonian intelligence officers confirmed that such groups of 2-3 people appeared on tankers after the increase in NATO’s presence in the Baltic region. Their task is to control the crew, consisting mainly of foreign citizens, and prevent the capture of the vessel by Western countries. In emergency situations, they provide communication with the Russian military.

The representative of European intelligence noted that the presence of armed people on board radically changes the situation: not everyone is ready to stop and inspect ships where there is security. That, analysts say, makes NATO more cautious.

In addition, Estonian intelligence reports that Russia has increased its forces in the Baltic by about four times after 2022. Moscow demonstrates its readiness to defend its interests in the region.

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