Shadow fleet escorts are straining Russia’s warships and worsening already 'serious' problems, NATO official says

Russian escort missions of shadow fleet tankers are worsening Moscow's naval struggles. UK Ministry of Defense photo via Getty Images Russia's navy faces a host of issues, including sustainment, maintenance, and readiness struggles. Its strained warships are now escorting sanctioned shadow fleet tankers around Europe. These missions are stressing the Russian surface fleet and worsening its force-generation problems. Russia's warships are being tasked with escorting merchant tankers around…