Sweden says it disrupted a Russian intelligence operation

STOCKHOLM – The Swedish Security Service (Sapo) said on Aug 10 it had thwarted a Russian intelligence operation aimed at discrediting Sweden and which involved an “agent” working at a foreign diplomatic mission in Sweden.

The counter-espionage agency said in a statement it had “gathered information on, and taken measures against, a Russian intelligence operation aiming at influencing Swedish decision-making and discrediting Sweden, NATO and the EU”.

According to Sapo, the “intelligence operation has been planned and directed by the Russian foreign intelligence service, SVR, for some time”.

It did not identify the diplomatic mission where the agent allegedly involved worked.

“One of the aims of the operation was to gather information on Swedish decision-making in order to enable the Russian intelligence services to conduct influence operations concerning polarising issues, with the goal to undermine Swedish decision-making and discredit Sweden, NATO and the EU,” Sapo said.

Sapo’s deputy head of operations Christoffer Wedelin said that upon learning of the operation, “the Swedish Security Service took action to protect vital Swedish assets and counter continued impact”.

Sweden in 2024 ended two centuries of military non-alignment and joined NATO, spurred into the alliance by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Sapo has repeatedly pointed to Russia, along with China and Iran, as the main intelligence threats to the country. AFP