Russia May Attack Sweden: Defense Minister Names Target of Probable Aggression

Russia may attack Sweden: Defense Minister names target of probable aggression Irina Martsiyash

Swedish Defense Minister Does Not Rule Out Russian Attack/Collage by 24 Kanal (Photo by Radio Liberty/Unsplash Christer Lässman)

Swedish Defense Minister Poul Jonsson believes that Russia could attack the Scandinavian country for control of the Baltic Sea.

He said this in an interview with the Polish publication Rzeczpospolita.

Swedish Defense Minister Does Not Rule Out Russian Attack

Moscow has moved some of its landing forces from the Baltic to the Black Sea, but its fleet in St. Petersburg and Königsberg remains virtually untouched. Russia poses a threat to Sweden, as it does to the rest of NATO. We cannot rule out a Russian attack on our country, Jonsson said.

The goal of the Kremlin's aggression, according to the Swedish Defense Minister, could be the desire to dominate the Baltic Sea.

“After the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the military and commercial importance of the Baltic Sea for the Kremlin has increased even more. Therefore, we must take Russia's aggressive intentions into account in our military plans,” he said.

At the same time, Poul Jonsson emphasized that Sweden is implementing an ambitious program to expand its navy.

“The Swedish Navy has traditionally been concentrated in the Baltic Sea. Our submarines know the seabed very well. We also have a large fleet of ships and an excellent landing force. However, due to the current situation We are implementing an ambitious program to expand the Navy,” the minister emphasized.

Sweden updates war instructions to population

The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency has updated its “In Case of Crisis or War” brochure, which has been in existence since World War II and contains advice on what to do if there is a nuclear attack, airstrike or extreme weather, The Local reports.

The Swedish government presented the new brochure at a press conference on Tuesday, October 8. In particular, it calls on citizens to prepare to survive on their own, without help from the rest of society, for a week.

The updated brochure is more than ten pages longer than the last edition from 2018.

Inspired by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it includes war-related advice: where to take shelter during an air attack, how to help someone with serious bleeding, and what to do if Sweden is attacked with nuclear, chemical or biological weapons.

Also, “In Case of Crisis or War” includes new tips on digital security, such as how to store information safely at home and at work to minimise the risk of a cyberattack, and how to protect yourself from disinformation and campaigns influence.

“It is no secret that the security situation has worsened since the previous brochure was published in 2018… The threat picture is more complex than before, and includes cyber attacks, influence attacks and the risk of sabotage,” said Swedish Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin, quoted by AP.

It is noted that the updated version of the brochure should be sent to Swedes by mail between November 18 and 29.