In brief
Sweden’s armed forces have requested the expropriation of a property near the Muskö naval base in the Stockholm archipelago that is owned by a Russian businessman. The request is grounded in concerns over Russian drones and the potential for strategic advantage by having a foreign-owned site nearby. The property’s owner, a woman who holds both Russian and Swedish citizenship, has held title since 2017, while the businessman is believed to have links to the Russian state. Sweden, which joined NATO in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, says the site poses a unique risk to naval security. Defence officials warn that any visibility into the site could provide a tactical edge to Russia.
Sweden’s armed forces have asked the government to expropriate a Russian‑owned property near Muskö naval base in the Stockholm archipelago, citing security grounds.
The military requested the seizure of a beach plot close to the base, arguing that the presence of a Russian‑linked businessman’s luxury house on the island poses a threat from drones and a potential tactical advantage.
The property is registered under the wife’s name, a dual citizen of Russia and Sweden, who has held ownership since 2017, while the businessman has strong ties to the Russian state. It is unclear whether he currently resides in Sweden.
Two years ago, Sweden ended two centuries of military non‑alignment and joined NATO after Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine. Defences officials stressed the need to eliminate any “visibility” into the site that could benefit Russian forces.
Chief of the Defence Staff Carl‑Johan Edström warned that Sweden is facing the most serious security situation since the end of World War II, especially given the evolution of Russian drone warfare.
Public broadcaster SVT and TV4 say the property has been a “thorn” in the armed forces’ side for years, and that the government must act swiftly to mitigate potential risks.
