Russian warship with switched-off identification system caught drifting near Denmark’s coast amid recent drone activity

Journalists from the Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet have reported spotting the Russian large landing ship Aleksandr Shabalin of the Baltic Fleet just 12 kilometers from the southern tip of Langeland. The vessel was located near Danish territorial waters with its AIS transponder switched off, making it impossible to track through maritime traffic services. To verify information obtained from their sources, Ekstra Bladet’s reporters rented a helicopter and took off from Langeland. They spotted the ship within minutes and identified it by its hull number — 110 — and its armaments.

The helicopter circled the Aleksandr Shabalin twice at an altitude of about 200 meters. A photographer took multiple shots of the vessel through the open door, capturing its automatic guns, missile launchers, and other weaponry. Russian sailors were seen on deck observing the journalists and apparently filming them as well. The vessel was initially stationary, but it began moving eastward during the flyover. Experts say it is difficult to determine if this was a reaction to the helicopter, but the maneuver added to suspicions about the ship’s purpose in the area. Afterward, the Aleksandr Shabalin headed northeast — with AIS still switched off. Its current location could not be determined.

The discovery came amid a series of drone incidents in Denmark and neighboring countries. From Sept. 22 to 23, Copenhagen Airport was closed for more than four hours due to drone sightings. A total of 51 commercial flights were diverted, and 109 canceled. That same day, Oslo Airport was also shut down for several hours due to drones. On the night of Sept. 25, unidentified drones were reported over Aalborg, Esbjerg, Sønderborg and the Skrydstrup air base, home to F-16 and F-35 fighters. The following day, drones again disrupted Aalborg. Police acknowledged they had failed to shoot down the drones or identify their operators. The investigation into the incidents is ongoing, with involvement from both intelligence and the military.

Previously, analytical and media attention had focused on civilian “shadow fleet” vessels off the coast of Denmark suspected of serving as bases for the drones. When Copenhagen Airport was shut down, at least three such vessels were nearby: the Russian cargo ship Astrol 1 (which is under U.S. sanctions), the Norwegian Oslo Carrier 3 (with several crew members holding Russian passports), and the tanker Pushpa (sailing under the flag of Benin, but previously detained in Estonia). Now, according to Ekstra Bladet, it turns out that a Russian warship was also off Denmark’s coast at the same time.

Former Danish military intelligence analyst Jakob Kaarsbo said the Aleksandr Shabalin could have played multiple roles — from a base or observation post to a diversionary element. Its presence forced Denmark to expend resources on monitoring, amplifying the impact of the attacks. He added that the appearance near Danish territorial waters of an armed Russian vessel with AIS turned off should be seen as a form of pressure.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the events as “the most serious attack on critical infrastructure” and stressed that she does not rule out Russian involvement. Russia’s ambassador in Copenhagen, Vladimir Barbin, rejected the accusations, calling them an attempt to “provoke NATO.” Danish authorities are treating the incidents as part of a possible hybrid operation, while Ekstra Bladet noted that the military was aware of the ship’s presence.