Swedish Officials Warn of Hybrid Warfare Threats from Russia, China
Dzirhan Mahadzir
January 17, 2025 3:25 PM
The Swedish Armed Forces issued a statement this week warning about the threat of hybrid warfare, stating Russia, China and Iran were conducting intelligence operations against Sweden and the nation’s political, military and civil authorities must be prepared for indirect and direct threats.
On Sunday, Sweden’s Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, said that while Sweden was not at war, there was no peace either and the country and its neighbors are exposed to hybrid attacks.
The Swedish Armed Forces statement, titled “Hybrid operations harm Sweden,” quoted Swedish Chief of Defense Force Gen. Leif Michael Claesson.
“Hybrid warfare is not a kinder, gentler form of war. It aims to harm or weaken us and our society – and NATO – through actions that are deniable and harder to trace and respond to,” he said according to a translation of the statement.
“This can be done through actions that sabotage and destroy important societal functions, make decision-making more difficult, or damage confidence in the national authorities and leadership.”
The statement also said that “Russia, China and Iran are conducting intelligence operations against Sweden. The goal is to disrupt important societal systems, gain access to sensitive information and influence decision-making. The methods include cyberattacks, influence operations and sabotage.” It also stated that Sweden had been subjected to influence information campaigns and cyberattacks.
https://news.usni.org/2025/01/17/swedish-officials-warn-of-hybrid-warfare-threats-from-russia-china
