Russian Fisheries in the High North: Deterrence in the Grey Zone

The RUSI Journal 171 (2) (2026): 1-13

Vladymyrova, Mariia. Russian Fisheries in the High North: Deterrence in the Grey Zone, The RUSI Journal 171 (2), pp. 1-13. © The Author (2026) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03071847.2026.2638132

Russian fishing fleets are engaged in covert and overt activities in the High North. Mariia Vladymyrova argues that they serve as instruments of strategic deterrence and coercive signalling. By leveraging ambiguity and dual-use capabilities, Russia blurs the line between civilian and military operations, complicating NATO’s maritime situational awareness and demanding adaptive countermeasures in an evolving security environment.

Mariia Vladymyrova • 19 March 2026

RITUAL DETERRENCE is funded by the European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant (ERC-2021-COG) awarded to Dr Maria Mälksoo, University of Copenhagen, under the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme (project no 101043468) for 2022-2027.
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Council. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

RITUAL DETERRENCE is funded by the European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant (ERC-2021-COG) awarded to Dr Maria Mälksoo, University of Copenhagen, under the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme (project no 101043468) for 2022-2027.
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Council. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.