During the Cold War, the Soviet Union conducted intensive intelligence operations against the West, not least against Sweden. Then, as now, it was a matter of obtaining critical information that could be useful to one's own state, such as trade secrets or political information. Intelligence activities were also war preparatory. By mapping defense installations and military capabilities, the aim was to gain advantages in the event of a military conflict.
This was part of everyday life during the Cold War. Soviet trawlers were in fact signals intelligence vessels and the embassy in Stockholm housed both the KGB and the GRU military intelligence service. From here, agents were recruited to provide the Soviet state with information that could not be obtained by other means.
After the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall, great hopes were raised for a more peaceful world. Liberal democracy gained ground. In Russia, democratic reforms were carried out. Here in Sweden, the armed forces were dismantled. Russian espionage activity also decreased.
"The vigilance subsided"
From a political point of view, the message was clear: A weakened Russia was no longer seen as a threat. Vigilance in Swedish society against influence attempts, espionage and infiltration subsided.
Budget funds previously used for the Armed Forces could now instead be used for reforms or tax cuts.
Despite ominous statements by President Putin back in 2006, few were prepared to reconsider their image. The Alliance government under Fredrik Reinfeldt continued with the defense cuts begun by Goran Persson's Social Democratic government.
Only after Russia's invasion of eastern Ukraine in 2014 did a rearmament of the Swedish defense begin. At the same time, Russian intelligence activities against the West and against Sweden intensified.
The full-scale invasion in February 2022 was the final confirmation that Russia under Putin's leadership is also prepared to attack and try to wipe out a neighboring country. It is precisely this that shows how serious Russia's spying in Sweden is today. Much of the intelligence activity is war preparation. Russia has clearly shown that it is prepared to attack other countries. Information collected through these intelligence activities can be crucial in such attacks.
Not straightforward to throw out Russian diplomats
SVT's investigation shows how a large number of diplomats at the embassy in Stockholm are directly involved in this extensive espionage operation. Their activities are also illustrated by the espionage convictions handed down in recent years by Swedish courts.
In addition, there are Russian spy ships that map critical infrastructure and defense installations along the Swedish coasts.
The seriousness of the situation is further underlined by the fact that the government has decided to expel five Russian diplomats on the grounds that their intelligence activities in Sweden were incompatible with their diplomatic status. It is a euphemism for the fact that they have engaged in espionage. Yet there are more intelligence officers left at the Russian embassy in Stockholm. However, throwing them all out, as the Moderates demanded in opposition, is not entirely straightforward. For every Russian diplomat that Sweden expels, Russia is likely to respond by expelling a Swedish diplomat from the embassy in Moscow.