Espionage from the Russian side can change in Sweden with full membership in the defense alliance.
– We are following very closely now what foreign powers are doing connected to the fact that we also see that it is at least in the final stages for possible NATO membership. Then we’ll see what happens, says Daniel Stenling, head of counterintelligence at Säpo to Ekot.
Russian intelligence operations in Sweden
According to Säpo, Russia is already conducting extensive intelligence operations in Sweden and has also had a great interest in the Swedish NATO process for a long time.
– We are not full members, but we are prepared and we have a plan for what to do connected to if there are interests or reactions from foreign powers connected to a possible NATO membership, says Säpochefen.
Russia is said to have wanted to both complicate and delay Swedish membership. When Sweden becomes a member of the defense alliance, this may lead to Russian espionage entering a new phase.
– We see that there may be a change in Russian interest in Sweden with NATO membership than it has been before, depending on what role Sweden gets in NATO and what capabilities Sweden delivers to NATO, says Daniel Stenling.
Säpo chief: Changed interest
As a member of NATO, Sweden will be included in the defense alliance’s joint defense planning and will be able to contribute with both fighter aircraft and ships. The armed forces have previously stated that, in the event of a conflict with Russia, Sweden could become an area for storage and maintenance.
– There are changed things like that that we have to take into account, if there is a changed Russian interest linked to Sweden getting a different role than we have had before, says the head of counterintelligence.