The risk willingness from the Russian side has, according to Säpo, increased regarding influence and sabotage against targets in the Western world. This also applies to Sweden.
During the past year, we have seen that they take greater risks when they act, says Charlotte von Essen.
We have seen examples of sabotage, interrupted sabotage, incidents, and other security-threatening activities that have occurred and been reported in the rest of Europe. We need to take into account that it can happen in Sweden as well.
Drone Incidents
Much has been directed against military support to Ukraine, but also the telecommunications sector and power supply are vulnerable.
If sabotage has already occurred in Sweden, the Säpo chief does not comment on, but she highlights that investigations are ongoing regarding things like break-ins into water towers, drone incidents, and suspected cable sabotage in the Baltic Sea.
The heightened security situation is the "new normal" and something we must learn to live with, according to Säpo. Sabotage is something that could quickly worsen the situation.
The fact that the terrorist threat level remains at a high level, four out of five, is also linked to foreign power.
Besides the traditional terrorist threat, we have seen that foreign power is willing to take actions that in some cases can constitute pure terrorist acts, says von Essen.
Explosions
It can, for example, involve blowing up various things.
Terror is about instilling serious fear in the population, and depending on how one directs one's activities, it can be considered a terrorist offense, says she about potential explosions.
On the other hand, Sweden is not as exposed to violent Islamist propaganda as before, according to Säpo.
The terrorist threat has been at a level four in Sweden since August 2023.
