Swedish Security Service: Russia is interested in military facilities in the far north of the country and threatens its security

Sweden's security service, known as Sapo, has presented its annual report on threats to the country, and Russia is a prominent figure in it. Moreover, since the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the situation has only worsened, Sapo's head Charlotte von Essen told reporters.

The report notes that Russia is "conducting security threatening activities in the far north of Sweden", poses a growing threat of industrial espionage, and the number of its secret agents is also growing.

"Russia's interest in northern Sweden primarily concerns Sweden's military capabilities," the report says.

In addition to Russia, China and Iran are also active in a way that is hostile to Sweden, Sapo noted.

Sweden has not been involved in wars or joined military alliances for more than 200 years (although at that time it considered Russia to be the main threat to it). However, Russia's aggression against Ukraine has dramatically changed the mood in Swedish society in favour of joining NATO.

This process is close to completion, with only Hungary not having ratified the Swedish application, and it is expected (although the vote has already failed once) that the Hungarian parliament will complete the process on Monday.

Background. The day before, it became known that Sweden would provide Ukraine with the largest military aid package ever. The country will provide support worth $682 million, or more than SEK 7 billion.