The Swedish Security Service (Säpo) has announced that it has thwarted a Russian intelligence operation aimed at damaging Sweden’s image and influencing its decision-making processes.
According to Säpo, the operation involved an “agent” working at a foreign diplomatic mission in Sweden. The agency has not disclosed which diplomatic mission was involved.
Säpo said the operation had been planned and directed over an extended period by Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), reports Euronews, as cited by Sinjali.
According to Swedish authorities, the objective was to gather information about Sweden’s decision-making processes and subsequently use it in influence operations targeting divisive issues.
“This was aimed at weakening Swedish decision-making and harming Sweden, NATO and the European Union,” Säpo said in a statement.
Christoffer Wedelin, Deputy Head of Operations at Säpo, said authorities intervened as soon as they received information about the operation, with the aim of protecting Sweden’s vital interests and preventing further attempts at influence.
Sweden joined NATO in 2024, ending nearly two centuries of military non-alignment. The decision came following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Säpo has repeatedly identified Russia, alongside China and Iran, as one of the main intelligence threats facing Sweden.
