In brief
Sweden’s armed forces have formally requested the state to take control of a property near the Muskö naval base due to perceived security risks from Russian drones. The land, owned by a businessman linked to the Russian state, houses a luxury home yet its ownership remains legally vested in the owner’s wife, who holds dual citizenship. The military argues that the site’s proximity to the base could provide a tactical advantage to potential adversaries. Defence officials note the growing threat of Russian drone warfare and stress the need to prevent any visibility into the area that could compromise the base’s defense. The government faces a decision amid broader concerns about Russian influence in the region.
The Swedish military has formally asked the government to expropriate a piece of land adjacent to the Muskö naval base, citing security concerns over potential Russian drone activity.
The plot is owned by a Russian‑linked businessman who is constructing a luxury home on the island. Though the legal title is held by his wife—who holds both Russian and Swedish citizenship—the Defence Ministry says the property's proximity could grant a strategic advantage to enemy forces.
Sweden only joined NATO two years ago, ending centuries of military non‑alignment after Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, the threat landscape has evolved, with Russian drone warfare now considered a serious security concern for the country.
Defence Minister Pål Jonson weighed in, saying the nation must ensure that no third party “gains visibility or a tactical edge” by holding the site. The Chief of the Defence Staff, Carl‑Johan Edström, echoed this sentiment, describing the situation as the most serious security challenge since the end of World War II.
It remains unclear whether the Russian businessman currently resides in Sweden, but the property has been under his wife’s ownership since 2017.
