Analysis by Geollect shows that on May 14, Automatic Identification System (AIS) data from commercial vessels was remotely tampered with to create the illusion of a 65km Russian Z symbol in the Black Sea visible in tracking software.
AIS is used to track ships, including to ensure their safety. The footprints in the image indicate a vessel speed of up to 102 knots (188 km/h), further suggesting they were fake.
According to British intelligence, pro-Russian actors likely carried out the spoofing as an information operation, possibly in an attempt to boost Russian morale ahead of an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive.
“AIS substitution increases the risk of maritime incidents. Despite Russia’s virtual information operations in the Black Sea, its physical fleet remains vulnerable: the Ivan Khurs reconnaissance vessel was probably attacked on May 24, 2023,” the British Ministry of Defense notes.
2023-05-25 06:10:29
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