Swedish Military Seeks to Take Over Russian-Owned Estate Near Naval Base
BBC News reports that Sweden's armed forces have requested the government to expropriate a Russia-owned property near Muskö Naval Base in Stockholm archipelago. The military cites "the threat from Russian drones" and the ownership situation of the beach plot as reasons for the seizure.
The development of Russian drone warfare is said to have "changed the threat landscape for Sweden." According to Swedish reports, a businessman with links to the Russian state has been constructing a luxury house on Muskö island, although his wife—a dual Russian and Swedish citizen—is the registered owner.
Two years ago, Sweden ended two centuries of military non-alignment and joined NATO due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The armed forces' statement quoted Chief of the Defence Staff Carl-Johan Edström as saying that Sweden is facing "the most serious security situation since the end of World War Two." It remains unclear if the Russian businessman currently resides in Sweden.
*"We need to make sure there's no risk of anyone gaining visibility into the site or any kind of tactical edge," said Defence Minister Pål Jonson, according to TV4.