A Danish-operated underwater drone and a Russian warship engaged in a close-quarters encounter in the Baltic Sea, approximately 30 kilometers southeast of Bornholm. According to reports from Danish broadcaster TV 2, the Russian corvette Soobrazitelnyi passed within 200 meters of the unmanned vessel while the drone was conducting radar and sonar tests.
The Encounter Near Bornholm
The incident involved the Stormborn X-Wave, an ocean drone developed by a Danish startup to assist the Danish Armed Forces in monitoring suspicious maritime activity. During a two-day testing mission, the drone operated off the coast of Bornholm, collecting data using radar and sonar equipment provided by firms including Mydefence and Terma. Simon Hviid, who was piloting the drone from a ground-based operations room, described the moment the Russian Project 20380 Stregushchiy-class corvette appeared. “It was an incredible experience. Suddenly it was there, out of nowhere,” Hviid told TV 2.
The Russian vessel, identified by its hull number 531, was navigating with its satellite AIS (Automatic Identification System) disabled. Hviid noted that the corvette headed directly toward the drone’s position in an area recognized for limited radar coverage. “Our equipment emits radar signals known to military ships, and it was quite clear the Russians were very curious,” Hviid stated. Following the encounter, the corvette was later observed escorting vessels from the Russian “shadow fleet” along the European coast.
Did you know?
The Stormborn X-Wave uses integrated artificial intelligence to identify vessels in real-time. During this encounter, the system successfully identified the corvette’s hull number, “P531,” and even detected the presence of a Ka-27 helicopter on the ship’s flight deck.
AI-Driven Maritime Surveillance Trends
By automatically logging the actions of the Soobrazitelnyi, the drone generated a comprehensive data set that has been transferred to the Danish Navy’s surveillance service for analysis.
The ability to track “unidentified” aircraft—as the X-Wave did when an unidentified plane circled it during the mission—further underscores the multi-domain awareness these platforms provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Russian ship sailing with its AIS turned off?
The AIS is a tracking system used to identify and locate vessels. Disabling it is common practice for military ships or vessels attempting to avoid commercial tracking, often referred to as “dark” sailing.
What is the “shadow fleet”?
The term refers to a collection of tankers operating outside of standard international shipping regulations, often used by Russia to transport oil while evading sanctions or monitoring by Western authorities.
Did the drone capture footage of the Russian corvette?
Yes, TV 2 released footage captured by the drone showing the Soobrazitelnyi passing in close proximity. The drone’s AI was able to identify the ship’s hull number and the helicopter stationed on board.
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