Swedish military intelligence reports heightened Russian threat

Russia poses an obvious military threat in the vicinity of Sweden, but its forces are mainly engaged in the war in Ukraine, the Swedish Military Intelligence and Security Service (MUST) said on Monday.”The European security structure as we knew it has ceased to exist…and with it, Sweden’s security risks have increased,” MUST director Lena Hallin said during a briefing. press conference.Hallin also said she expects Russia to build up its military capability near Sweden wherever possible, in response to Sweden’s and Finland’s offers to NATO.She stressed that, according to MUST, Russia would like to avoid the escalation of the current tension towards an armed conflict with NATO.”However, there is significant uncertainty, mainly related to the willingness of Russian leaders to take high risks,” said Lena Hallin, adding that high levels of tension increase the risk that an accident or mistake could lead to a conflict.