Säpo Thwarts Russian SVR Operation Targeting Swedish Decision-Making, Discrediting NATO and EU

Sweden’s security service Säpo said it thwarted a Russian intelligence operation aimed at influencing Swedish decision-making and discrediting Sweden, NATO and the EU, after an “agent” working in a foreign diplomatic mission in Sweden gathered information for Russian handlers.

“directed by Moscow's SVR and run by three people under diplomatic immunity”

UNITED24 Media

UNITED24 Media, citing Reuters on August 10, said the operation was directed by Russia’s SVR and run by three people under diplomatic immunity, and that investigators monitored meetings between the individuals before shutting it down.

DIE WELT

Säpo said the operation had been planned and directed by Russia’s foreign intelligence service SVR for some time, and that the recruited agent was tasked with gathering information about Sweden’s central government authorities and the kingdom’s international contacts.

Christopher Wedelin, Deputy Head of Operations at Säpo, said the Swedish Security Service had been monitoring Russian intelligence activity and documenting its contacts for an extended period, and that the agent held meetings with two Russian Foreign Intelligence Service officers.

The Straits Times reported that Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer said the government took the reports “seriously,” as Sweden ended two centuries of military non-alignment and joined NATO in 2024.

A SAPO spokesperson told Reuters, “We have been able to monitor what happened at these meetings between the individuals involved, what was said and what assignments were given,” describing how the network was tracked before being disrupted.

The same Reuters account said the spokesperson added, “They are no longer in Sweden, and we have been able to break up this operation,” while declining to provide further details about the measures taken.

Euronews

Säpo said the agent and the two Russian intelligence officers had already left Sweden, and that diplomatic immunity prevented the three individuals from being detained or prosecuted, according to Межа. Новини України.

Euronews quoted Säpo saying the operation had been planned and directed by the Russian foreign intelligence service SVR for some time, and that it aimed to undermine Swedish decision-making and discredit Sweden, NATO and the EU.

DIE WELT reported that Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer told TT that “There is no connection with the upcoming elections in autumn according to current information,” framing the case as part of a broader pattern.

Säpo said one of the aims was to gather information on Swedish decision-making to enable Russian intelligence services to conduct influence operations concerning polarising issues, with the goal to undermine Swedish decision-making and discredit Sweden, NATO and the EU.

“to undermine Swedish decision-making and discredit Sweden, NATO and the EU”

Euronews

The Straits Times said the objectives included creating division within Sweden and among EU and NATO allies, while AFP reported that Sapo declined to give a more specific account of what information had been gathered or how long the operation had been going on.

DIE WELT said the information gathering focused particularly on “information about Sweden's political positions and its activities in the context of NATO and the EU,” and also listed Sweden’s support for Ukraine and the country’s military capabilities.

Euronews reported that Säpo said it took action to protect vital Swedish assets and counter continued impact, and that Säpo has repeatedly pointed to Russia, along with China and Iran, as the main intelligence threats to the country.

UNITED24 Media added that the Russian embassy in Stockholm did not immediately respond to a request for comment relayed by Reuters via phone and email, leaving the Swedish account as the central public description of what was disrupted.