Sweden’s national security agency SAPO reportedly stated it expects Russia to increase activities which would threaten the country’s telecommunications industry, with an attack also posing a direct risk to the rest of Europe.

Associated Press cited comments made by the agency’s head, Charlotte von Essen, at a defence conference held in Sweden, which was attended by security experts, representatives from NATO and Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

Essen reportedly described Russia as “unpredictable”, while highlighting telecoms and the country’s power network as sectors “where there is reason to be particularly vigilant to counter espionage and sabotage”.

“From the Russian side, there is an interest in disturbing these areas, she said, highlighting an attack against Sweden “could cause damage to the rest of Europe as well”.

She continued to state the security agency expects Russia to make use of non-official platforms “such as Russian diaspora, institutions and companies in Sweden”.

Ericsson exit
Sweden is of course the home market of one of the world’s biggest telecoms network vendors, Ericsson.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Ericsson announced its intentions to wind down operations in the country, a process which was due to be completed at the end of the year.

However, when announcing a deal to sell its customer support business in Russia as part of its phased exit from the market, Ericsson said it would have small presence in the country going into 2023.

Ericsson is one of a number of international companies which have announced plans to reduce their presence and exit Russia in the wake of the Ukraine war.