Sweden to launch civilian spy agency to monitor Russian leaders
Sweden has announced the establishment of a new civilian foreign intelligence service, the Foreign Intelligence Service (UND), which will begin operating in January 2027. The agency is modeled on the United Kingdom's MI6 and is intended to fill gaps identified after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine by focusing on the political leadership of Moscow rather than solely on military movements.
The initiative was championed by former prime minister Carl Bildt, who argued that the existing Military Intelligence and Security Service (MUST) lacked dedicated analysts for Russian politics. UND will operate alongside MUST and will assume some of its duties, including oversight of covert operations abroad. The reform follows Sweden’s accession to NATO in 2024, ending two centuries of military non‑alignment and prompting a broader overhaul of the country’s security architecture.
Entities
Carl Bildt · Foreign Intelligence Service (UND) · Military Intelligence and Security Service (MUST) · Russia · Sweden
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The agency’s mandate is to monitor Russia’s political leadership. www.moncloa.com · www.rt.com · international.sindonews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] UND will take over some responsibilities from MUST, including oversight of covert operations abroad. www.moncloa.com · www.rt.com · international.sindonews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Sweden joined NATO in 2024, ending two centuries of military non‑alignment. www.moncloa.com · www.rt.com · international.sindonews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] UND is modeled after the United Kingdom's MI6. www.moncloa.com · www.rt.com · international.sindonews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The existing Military Intelligence and Security Service (MUST) was deemed insufficient for analyzing Russian politics. www.moncloa.com · www.rt.com · international.sindonews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] UND will begin operations in January 2027. www.moncloa.com · www.rt.com · international.sindonews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Sweden has confirmed the creation of a civilian foreign intelligence agency called the Foreign Intelligence Service (UND). www.moncloa.com · www.rt.com · international.sindonews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Former prime minister Carl Bildt advocated the creation of UND. www.moncloa.com · www.rt.com · international.sindonews.com