Death of Swedish diplomat Sven Hirdman

Sven Hirdman, a prominent Swedish diplomat and former ambassador to Moscow, has died at the age of 87. He passed away on October 9.

Hirdman’s career included serving as Sweden’s ambassador to Moscow from 1994 to 2004, during which he was accredited to several former Soviet republics. He also held ambassadorial roles in Tel Aviv and postings in Beijing and London. His professional background included serving as a state secretary at the Ministry of Defense, deputy director of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), and head of the National Inspectorate of War Materiel.

In his later years, Hirdman was a frequent commentator on geopolitical issues, specifically regarding Russia and the war in Ukraine. He was recognized for his expertise in Russian culture and politics, often working to provide insight into Russian perspectives. The group Dissidentklubben described him as an ‘old school’ diplomat noted for his patience and deep linguistic skills.