Russia likely used its shadow fleet to launch 144 drones across 12 NATO countries and Ireland between August 2024 and February 2026, forcing repeated airport closures and exposing critical gaps in European air defenses. The campaign targeted sensitive military sites, including facilities hosting American nuclear weapons, to probe radar gaps and test NATO’s collective response, which the IISS labeled a strategic failure. Approximately 48% of sightings occurred over military installations, 18% over civilian airports, and 26% over critical infrastructure like ports and energy sites. Incidents surged from four per month to 22.5 per month between September and December 2025, with Germany recording 58 sightings. The activity nearly vanished after European navies began seizing shadow fleet vessels in 2026, signaling the end of this quiet war at sea.