# Swedish security response to Russian intelligence

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/swedish-security-response-to-russian-intelligence
> Updated: 2026-08-10T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 18. Developments: 2.

Sweden is restructuring its security architecture following its 2024 accession to NATO. In July 2026, the government announced the creation of the Foreign Intelligence Service (UND), a civilian agency modeled after the United Kingdom’s MI6. Scheduled to begin operations in January 2027, the UND aims to monitor Russian political leadership to address intelligence gaps identified after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

In August 2026, Sweden’s security service, Säkerhetspolisen (Säpo), reported the disruption of a Russian SVR espionage operation. The operation reportedly sought to influence Swedish political decision-making and undermine the reputation of Sweden, the EU, and NATO. The SVR utilized an intermediary recruited from a foreign embassy in Stockholm to facilitate the mission.

Säpo noted that intelligence services monitored activities such as a meeting between a Russian intelligence officer and the agent at a pub in the Stockholm area, where the officer reportedly provided gifts to the agent. The operation was reportedly planned and directed by the SVR over an extended period to gather information for future influence campaigns regarding polarizing societal issues. Because the subjects involved were operating under diplomatic immunity, they could not be prosecuted and have since left the country. Sweden has identified Russia, China, and Iran as its primary intelligence threats.

## Claims

- The operation was planned and directed by Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR). (corroborated by 10 sources)
- The operation aimed to discredit Sweden, NATO, and the EU. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- The agent was an employee of a foreign diplomatic mission in Sweden. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- The operation aimed to collect information on Swedish decision-making that could later be used in influence activities focused on divisive issues. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- The involved individuals are no longer in Sweden. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The operation involved three individuals acting under diplomatic immunity. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- No criminal investigation is underway because the subjects operated under diplomatic immunity. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Säpo monitored a meeting between a Russian officer and an agent at a pub in Stockholm. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-10: Sweden foils Russian SVR intelligence operation

Sweden's security service, Säpo, disrupted a Russian SVR intelligence operation aimed at influencing Swedish decision-making and discrediting Sweden, NATO, and the EU.

18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sweden-disrupts-russian-svr-espionage-operation

### 2026-07-27: Sweden to launch civilian spy agency to monitor Russian leaders

Sweden will create a civilian foreign intelligence agency (UND) modeled on MI6, starting Jan 2027, to monitor Russian political leaders; the move, driven by ex‑PM Carl Bildt, complements existing military intel

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sweden-to-launch-civilian-spy-agency-to-monitor-russian-leaders

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Cite as: Swedish security response to Russian intelligence. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/swedish-security-response-to-russian-intelligence