Sweden thwarts Russian intelligence operation aimed at discrediting it, NATO, and EU

Sweden's security service, Säpo, announced Monday it has dismantled a Russian intelligence operation designed to undermine Sweden, NATO, and the European Union. The operation, orchestrated by Russia's SVR foreign intelligence service, aimed to influence Swedish decision-making and sow discord.

According to Säpo, the operation involved an agent stationed within a foreign diplomatic mission in Sweden. The intelligence service stated that the goal was to gather information on Sweden's decision-making processes to facilitate influence operations on divisive issues. This effort sought to weaken Sweden's decision-making capabilities and damage its reputation, along with that of NATO and the EU.

Säpo intervened to protect vital Swedish interests and counteract the operation's effects. The announcement comes as Sweden has recently abandoned two centuries of military non-alignment, joining NATO in response to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Russia, along with China and Iran, has been repeatedly identified by Säpo as a primary threat regarding intelligence operations against Sweden.

Christoffer Wedelin, deputy director of operations at Säpo, affirmed the intervention's purpose: "to protect vital Swedish interests and counter the persistent effects of this action." The security service has consistently warned about intelligence threats from Russia, China, and Iran, highlighting the ongoing geopolitical tensions impacting Sweden's security landscape.