Recent months have seen multiple incidents involving Russian linked vessels in European waters. Roughly 72 percent of shadow fleet ships are over 15 years old, requiring constant maintenance, and 60 percent lack proper insurance coverage. British officials emphasised that deterring, disrupting and degrading the Russian shadow fleet remains a government priority. Enhanced port state control inspections focusing on insurance irregularities, false registries and mechanical deficiencies could significantly disrupt shadow fleet operations. As tensions remain elevated, security officials expect Russian vessels will continue testing Western resolve through calculated incursions in strategic waterways.