Sweden warns of increased russian hybrid activity
Thomas Nilsson, Head of the Swedish Military Intelligence and Security Service (MUST), stated that hybrid threats from russia are growing, with increased russian activity near Sweden. According to him, moscow is acting more intensively and riskily.
▫️ russia’s interest in conducting hybrid and intelligence operations near Sweden intensified after the country joined NATO and strengthened its defensive role in the Baltic-Scandinavian region. These actions may be aimed at “testing” the readiness of a NATO member state to respond to provocations.
▫️ It is noteworthy that Sweden has previously exposed russian influence operations. For example, Swedish law enforcement earlier uncovered russian orthodox church nuns suspected of collaborating with russian military intelligence.
russian hybrid attacks against European countries require a consolidated and timely response. Strengthening maritime monitoring, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure protection, and the rapid exchange of intelligence between EU and NATO states can significantly limit russia’s capacity to carry out provocations.
