S9 Ep15: Russian Spy Ships and undersea cables with Florian Flade

In this episode, we’re joined by Florian Flade, an investigative
journalist for Germany’s public broadcaster WDR based in Berlin.
In this conversation, Florian discusses the activities of Russian
research ships that are suspected of espionage. He explains how
these ships, while officially labeled as academic vessels, are
equipped with advanced technology for intelligence gathering,
mainly focusing on critical underwater infrastructure. The
conversation delves into the geopolitical implications of these
activities, the Russian government's official stance, and the
role of Chinese ships in potential sabotage operations.

Additionally, the discussion highlights the legal challenges in
addressing maritime espionage and the difficulties in
investigating incidents at sea. Florian also discusses NATO's
evolving strategies in response to Russian spy ships,
particularly in the context of the Baltic Sea. He highlights the
increasing urgency and coordination among NATO members, the
challenges of hybrid warfare, and the implications for defence
spending in Germany.

The discussion also touches on public perceptions of security
threats and the historical context of espionage activities,
culminating in a personal account of encountering spy
ships.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ojllHsImbNk

For more information on these suspected Russian Spy Ships,
please check out the links below:

DW Documentary: “Putin’s Fleet”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br3K93-z6PI

DW News: “What are dozens of Russian ships doing in European
waters?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f7Nujs1_yY

HI Sutton
http://www.hisutton.com/

Online Trackers

Marine Traffic
https://www.marinetraffic.com/

Global Fishing Watch
https://globalfishingwatch.org/map/index

For more information and to connect with Florian please
follow the links below:

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/florianflade.bsky.social
Twitter: https://x.com/FlorianFlade
Blog: https://ojihad.wordpress.com/

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