Sweden says it disrupted Russian intelligence operation aimed at discrediting the country

The Swedish Security Service, SAPO, announced on August 10, 2026, that it disrupted a Russian SVR intelligence operation aimed at discrediting Sweden, NATO, and the EU. The operation involved three Russian officers under diplomatic cover who recruited an agent at a foreign diplomatic mission to gather information on Swedish decision-making. Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer stated the government takes the incident seriously, calling it part of an offensive pattern by Russia since Sweden joined NATO in 2024.

Russian SVR intelligence operation disruption

• ▪The disrupted intelligence operation was planned and directed by Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, SVR, and involved three Russian intelligence officers operating under diplomatic cover.
• ▪SAPO confirmed that the individuals involved in the Russian intelligence operation, including the Russian officers and the recruited agent, are no longer in Sweden.
• ▪The Russian intelligence officers recruited an agent working at a foreign diplomatic mission in Sweden, whose identity and specific mission SAPO declined to disclose.
• ▪The Swedish Security Service, SAPO, announced on August 10, 2026, that it had shut down and disrupted a Russian intelligence operation aimed at discrediting Sweden, NATO, and the European Union.
• ▪The recruited agent was tasked by Russian intelligence officers with obtaining information on Swedish decision-making to enable influence operations concerning polarising issues.

Sweden's NATO membership context

• ▪Sweden ended two centuries of military non-alignment and officially joined NATO in 2024.
• ▪Sweden's decision to join NATO in 2024 was spurred by Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Intelligence threats to Sweden

• ▪A SAPO spokesperson stated that the disrupted espionage operation is consistent with the ongoing threat that Russia poses to Sweden.
• ▪SAPO has repeatedly identified Russia, China, and Iran as the primary intelligence threats to Sweden.

Swedish government response

• ▪The Russian embassy in Stockholm did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the SAPO announcement on August 10, 2026.
• ▪Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer stated that the government takes the reports seriously, describing the operation as part of an offensive pattern by Russia to further its interests in Sweden.