The Navy classifies the Sibiryakov as a government research vessel, which can be used for intelligence gathering.
According to information to SVT, the ship has shadowed the preparations and the initial phase of the naval exercise Baltops, a task that the navy does not want to comment on.
– It is difficult to know exactly what kind of capability is on the ship right now. But that larger exercises are followed by Russian ships of this type is routine, it is known that there is an intelligence need against this type of exercises, says Jimmie Adamsson.
Disabled tracking systems
The ship, which passed through the Sound on Thursday afternoon, has its tracking systems turned off and is not openly visible.
– A ship is an extraordinary intelligence platform. You can conduct optical reconnaissance, signal reconnaissance and spy on what is on the seabed, says Jörgen Elfving, former lieutenant colonel.
SVT has previously reviewed the suspected Russian spy ships and their movement patterns in Nordic waters. The mapping showed that at least 27 of the vessels had been in Swedish territorial waters in the past five years and that eight of them had called at a Swedish port.
– I do not rule out that the Russian side has increased its efforts after Sweden became a NATO member. This is because the Russian view is that the Baltic Sea has become a NATO possession that needs to be monitored, says Jörgen Elfving.