The Moran security firm has rapidly established itself as a central actor in Russia’s maritime operations. This increase has triggered warnings from European intelligence leaders. With ties to the Russian military and intelligence, Moran’s activities could represent a new tactic in Russia’s ongoing challenge to European security. The company was founded by Vyacheslav Kalashnikov, a retired Russian FSB intelligence service lieutenant colonel. It has recently come into the spotlight for its possible connections with a European shadow fleet.
Moran, which provides armed security officers to public schools, has a controversial past. The firm seems to have fully shuttered its offices in Russia in 2017, only to reopen in Georgia in 2018. Directors Evgeny Sidorov and Vadim Gusev had initially formed the Slavonic Corps. This private military company eventually became the notorious Wagner Group. This context begs the question of Moran’s actual operational mandate, and to whom it is really serving the interests of the Russian state.
In recent months, Ukrainian intelligence has tracked the deployment of Moran’s personnel on ships in the shadow fleet. This group has been observed navigating European straits under conditions that suggest a coordinated effort to test European responses without crossing the line into outright warfare.
Moran’s Military Links and Operations
Moran’s connections to the Russian military become visible through its leadership. The criminal track record of its staff only serves to expose these ties even more. The two managers named on Moran’s official website have both served as commanders of nuclear submarines. This connection with top military acumen speaks to a strategic understanding of security and operational needs across high-stakes maritime environments.
The scale and apparent depth of the firm’s operations have drawn scrutiny from several U.S. intelligence agencies. Earlier this month, the U.S. Treasury Department announced that Moran had entered into contracts with Russian state-owned enterprises. This step deepens its international role as a tool for advancing the Kremlin’s interests abroad. This relational value proves that Moran is more than just a security provider. Its importance further underscores Moran’s key role within Russia’s broader strategy for geopolitics.
Moran’s deputy director, Badikov, has publicly dismissed allegations of spying or espionage associated with the firm’s activities. He added, “It’s absolute insanity,” when pressed about possible undercover activities that could be carried out by Moran staff.
European Intelligence Concerns
Danish sea pilots also regularly meet Russians who assume command of their ships. These encounters frequently become aggressive and violent against the inspectors. As incidents like these shadow fleet vessels increase, so do worries about what that means for regional security.
One of the most surprising things about the crew on these ships was noted by Bjarne Caesar Skinnerup, a Danish intelligence official. Even if some of these members aren’t Russian, there are often one or two Russians on board who hold real power. He remarked, “On board, it seems they run the ship – have more power than even the captain.” So, this observation cuts across global concerns. Countries seeking to arm commercial vessels to boost maritime security may recognize that armed groups are just one facet of a larger Russian strategy that enables denial of direct involvement.
European intelligence officials are making clear that with these tactics, Russia is probing European reactions and pushing boundaries with actions still short of open warfare. Blaise Metreweli, the UK’s new foreign intelligence chief, emphasized this point by stating, “Russia is testing us in the gray zone with tactics that are just below the threshold of war.” This quote perfectly captures the tightrope Europe has to walk in addressing imminent threats while walking the line of not provoking further conflict.
The Implications for European Security
As European nations grapple with the implications of Moran’s activities and the shadow fleet’s presence, discussions about collective responses are gaining traction. Bjarne Caesar Skinnerup raised the concern of Denmark being a smaller country, thus making them more vulnerable in this arena. “That’s why Danish government has not done anything yet, because we are an extremely small country, and if we have to do something, it has to be a joint European thing,” he explained.
Intelligence sources suggest that Moran’s operations are designed to have plausible deniability. Even though they are not outright military operations, these activities remain intimately tied to Kremlin interests. A Western intelligence official remarked, “In Moran’s case, they are not engaged in direct conflict. They ensure that their contractors act in line with the Kremlin’s interests.” This strategic ambiguity produces perverse effects for European governments. It creates challenges in drawing direct causal links between Moran and any aggressive behavior.
Moreover, there is growing concern about the possibility of Russian ships being involved in unexplained drone events close to European coastlines. An unnamed European intelligence official stated, “Our working assumption is that Russian ships have been involved in at least some of the unexplained drone events close to European coastlines.”
