The meeting brought together representatives of political, academic, and expert communities from the Baltic Sea region and Ukraine. Participants included parliamentarians from Poland and Ukraine, as well as experts in international security, defense policy, and hybrid threats. The program included open panel discussions, closed expert sessions, and scenario-based workshops.

Russian “Shadow Fleet” and Hybrid Threats

The first day of the seminar was devoted to analyzing new security challenges facing the region, including the role of the Russian so-called “shadow fleet” as a tool of destabilizing operations. Experts pointed to the growing importance of hybrid operations conducted by the Russian Federation, encompassing both military and non-military actions — including sabotage, provocations, and environmental threats resulting from the operation of old vessels.

An important element of the discussion was also the coordination of activities among regional states and international partners in countering threats. Participants emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation within NATO and to make use of Ukraine’s experience in countering Russian aggression, including in the maritime domain.

Conflict Scenarios and Ukrainian Experience

The second day of the event was held behind closed doors and focused on the practical dimension of responding to potential crisis scenarios. In the first part, participants took part in a strategic war game simulating the most likely short-term developments in the region, including scenarios for 2026.

The following session presented Ukrainian experience in countering threats posed by the Russian Federation. Particular attention was devoted to the use of modern technologies, including unmanned systems and their importance in contemporary military operations. A special guest, Colonel Pilot Viktor Meritin of the National Guard of Ukraine, presented the current situation on the front line and conclusions relevant to the security of NATO member states.

Conclusions

A summary of the discussions and the key conclusions from both days of the event will be prepared and shared with project partners and participants.

The seminar served as an important platform for exchanging experiences and perspectives on Baltic Sea regional security. It also confirmed the importance of international cooperation in the face of a rapidly changing security environment.