Sweden appears to be getting a little nervous about a potential war with Russia due to Russian military planes entering its airspace during training and reports of mysterious submarines in its waters, UPI reports. Oh and also because Russia's ambassador to Sweden said this: "It is ludicrous to have any doubts that Russia has special military plans to attack Sweden, Gotland, Karlshamn, Slite ... ludicrous." Those last three names are strategic locations in Sweden. The Local thinks Victor Tatarintsev, speaking in Swedish instead of his native Russian, likely misspoke in that quote. He followed it up by saying Russia has "no plans whatsoever to invade Sweden" and that "the Swedish population can sleep easy."
Regardless, Sweden is returning to its Total Defense Strategy from the Cold War and telling authorities in towns and villages to prepare for a possible military attack by Russia, the Telegraph reports. Those preparations include putting operations centers in underground bunkers and making sure emergency sirens are in place and functional. And while Sweden's Civil Contingency Agency says it doesn't think war with Russia is likely—yet, anyway—it's putting military defenses on Gotland, an island in the Baltic Sea. "The security situation in our neighborhood has worsened," one agency leader says. "We must therefore make preparations regarding the threat of war and conflict.”
Regardless, Sweden is returning to its Total Defense Strategy from the Cold War and telling authorities in towns and villages to prepare for a possible military attack by Russia, the Telegraph reports. Those preparations include putting operations centers in underground bunkers and making sure emergency sirens are in place and functional. And while Sweden's Civil Contingency Agency says it doesn't think war with Russia is likely—yet, anyway—it's putting military defenses on Gotland, an island in the Baltic Sea. "The security situation in our neighborhood has worsened," one agency leader says. "We must therefore make preparations regarding the threat of war and conflict.”