Swedish defense report warns Russia could test NATO in near future

Russia could seek to test NATO unity and the Alliance’s collective defense commitments in the “relatively near future”, the Swedish Defense Commission warned on Friday.

In an interim report cited by Radio Sweden, the commission considered that an attack against Sweden or one of its allies could not be ruled out.

“An armed attack against Sweden or our allies cannot be ruled out,” the report said.

The commission, made up of parliamentarians and government experts, warned that the security situation could deteriorate rapidly and called for accelerating military rearmament as well as strengthening civil defense.

The warning comes as Finland closely monitors Russian military activity near its border.

Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen told public broadcaster Yle that Russia is developing its military infrastructure and increasing its troops near Finland.

“Russia is creating new military units, increasing the number of soldiers and developing capabilities allowing it to quickly mobilize troops from other regions of the country,” he said.

The statements follow reports that Russia is building a new military garrison in Petrozavodsk, near the Finnish border.

Despite these developments, Hakkanen assured that there was no immediate threat.

“The Finns can be completely reassured,” he said.

Sweden and Finland joined NATO after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, ending decades of military non-alignment.

*Translated from English by Ayse Bashoruz