Russia Deploys Spy Base On Ferry That Sank In Baltic Sea

• 25.10.2025, 19:10

Drones and underwater robots are controlled from it.

Russia could have created a secret training ground for underwater operations to monitor NATO naval activity in the area of the sunken ferry "Estonia" in the Baltic Sea. This is according to a joint investigation by German publications WDR, NDR and Süddeutsche Zeitung, based on information from NATO security sources. "Estonia" wrecked in September 1994 during a storm on its way from Tallinn to Stockholm.

852 people died, and some of the victims' bodies still rest at a depth of 80 meters 35 km off the Finnish island of Utö. Because of this, authorities in Finland, Estonia and Germany have closed access to the wreck since the disaster.

Thanks to this restriction, Russian intelligence services are believed to have deployed underwater devices on the wreck that control drones and underwater robots, as well as being able to collect acoustic signatures from NATO warships and submarines. These signatures help identify ships by the unique sound characteristics of their engines and propellers, the investigation said. Western intelligence agencies believe that Russia's Main Directorate of Deep Sea Research (GUGI) is responsible for such operations. This secret unit, which reports directly to the Defense Ministry, specializes in underwater espionage, sabotage and reconnaissance.

GUGI, in particular, controls a fleet of special purpose vessels, mini-submarines and underwater drones, including the vessel "Yantar", which NATO considers one of the key Russian reconnaissance ships. Alliance navies have repeatedly detected the Yantar near undersea cables and critical infrastructure in the North and Baltic Seas, the investigation said.

From 2021 to 2024, Finland temporarily allowed access to part of the protection zone in order to conduct a new investigation into the causes of the disaster. During that time, according to the investigation, NATO countries observed increased Russian submarine activity in the area. In addition, in recent years, Lithuania, Latvia, the UK and Ireland have reported sightings of unidentified underwater sensors, presumably Russian-made, the investigators said.

The material also says that Russian companies have for years purchased advanced Western underwater surveillance technology through a network of intermediaries, particularly firms registered in Cyprus. The value of these transactions is estimated at $50 million.