The report is based on European cases that have resulted in convictions during the period 2010-2021, and shows that Russia is behind the majority of all secret intelligence activities in Europe.
It is about infiltration espionage where the goal is to come across secret or sensitive information.
Most active spies are found in northern Europe and the Baltics.
Sweden is therefore considered to have a vulnerable geographical location.
- An area of obvious interest is the Swedish arms industry, because it is technologically advanced.
Another is Swedish foreign policy, especially now that we are approaching NATO, says Michael Jonsson, research leader at FOI.
Vulnerable individuals
According to the study, the typical spy is a man with a background in the military.
But there are also cases where researchers, consultants or officials are recruited.
- In general, it is about exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
The spies often receive low compensation but take enormous risks.
It is also common to be disappointed with how your regular career has developed.
There is rarely an ideological conviction in individuals, something that has been important earlier in history, he says.
FOI war states that FOI states in the report and after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, one can now count on increased espionage activity.
- In the longer term, we seem to be heading into a period of increased tensions - a new cold war if you simplify.
I believe that the threat will increase in both the short and long term, he says.