Sweden foils Russian SVR intelligence operation FAST-MOVING
Sweden’s Security Service, Säpo, has announced the disruption of a Russian intelligence operation conducted by the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR). The operation aimed to influence Swedish political decision-making and discredit Sweden, NATO, and the European Union.
According to Säpo, the operation involved an agent working within a foreign diplomatic mission in Sweden. Intelligence officials monitored the activities of the individuals involved, including meetings held at a pub in Stockholm where a Russian officer reportedly met with the agent and exchanged gifts.
The operation was reportedly planned and directed by the SVR over an extended period. The primary goal was to gather information on Swedish decision-making processes to facilitate future influence campaigns regarding polarizing societal issues.
Three individuals were identified as being involved in the operation, all of whom were acting under diplomatic immunity. Consequently, no criminal investigation is underway, and the individuals have since left Sweden. Säpo noted that Russia, along with China and Iran, remains a significant intelligence threat to the country.
Entities
Christoffer Wedelin · European Union · NATO · SVR · Sweden · Säkerhetspolisen · Säpo
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 6 SOURCES] The involved individuals are no longer in Sweden. alephnews.ro · www.svt.se · www.rmf24.pl · wiadomosci.wp.pl · www.tromaktiko.gr · +1 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] The operation involved three individuals acting under diplomatic immunity. alephnews.ro · www.svt.se · www.rmf24.pl · wiadomosci.wp.pl · www.libertaddigital.com
- [● 10 SOURCES] The operation was planned and directed by Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR). alephnews.ro · de.euronews.com · it.euronews.com · siol.net · www.svt.se · +5 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] No criminal investigation is underway because the subjects operated under diplomatic immunity. www.svt.se · www.rmf24.pl · wiadomosci.wp.pl
- [● 9 SOURCES] The operation aimed to collect information on Swedish decision-making that could later be used in influence activities focused on divisive issues. alephnews.ro · de.euronews.com · it.euronews.com · siol.net · www.svt.se · +4 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] Säpo monitored a meeting between a Russian officer and an agent at a pub in Stockholm. www.svt.se · www.rmf24.pl · wiadomosci.wp.pl
- [● 10 SOURCES] The operation aimed to discredit Sweden, NATO, and the EU. alephnews.ro · adevarul.ro · de.euronews.com · it.euronews.com · siol.net · +5 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] The agent was an employee of a foreign diplomatic mission in Sweden. alephnews.ro · adevarul.ro · de.euronews.com · it.euronews.com · siol.net · +5 more