Sweden has issued a warning to Russia because of its accession to NATO

Precautionary hoarding

The National newspaper reported, Switzerland may apply to join NATO on May 15, and the Stockholm government is preparing for threats from Russia, strengthening its civilian defense forces.

There are also concerns that Russia could use a port it leases on the strategically important island of Gotland, which military sources say has been dug deep to allow warships to dock.

People in the capital Stockholm are stocking up on food, water and fuel in anticipation of a potential cyber attack, shortly after Sweden announced its application to join NATO, possibly on May 15. Neighboring Finland will also announce its decision on joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the next few days.

Dr Gunilla Herolf, of the Swedish Institute of International Affairs, told the National the threats were being taken seriously. “Swedes fear that one day we will not be able to use our credit cards or have no electricity. This is something that everyone is worried about and is preparing for,” she said.

Swedes are buying special water tanks, hand-rechargeable radios, camping stoves and food supplements in the event of a conflict, says Dr. Herolf.

It is understood that the Swedish government is also planning to refill the large Vattenfall oil storage tank and power plant built during the Cold War.

Beware of Russian statements

Russia once warned Finland and Sweden should not join NATO, arguing that it would not bring stability to Europe. Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said that there would be no more nuclear-free Baltic if Sweden and Finland joined NATO.

“If Sweden and Finland join NATO really, Russia will respond. In this case, there will be no more discussions on non-nuclear status with the Baltic region, the balance must be restored,” – Sky News – Medvedev announced on April 14.

Sweden is also concerned about nuclear threat this – said Dr Ian Anthony of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), adding that Sweden joined NATO because there was “no sense of trust” that Russia would respect its territorial boundaries, and ” We need to prepare for the next phase in Europe.”

Sweden’s main reason for joining NATO was to protect the island of Gotland, strategically located in the middle of the Baltic Sea, 250km from the Russian base in Kaliningrad and the center of access to the eastern Baltic.

Dr Anthony, SIPRI’s head of European security, said Gotland would also play an important role in allowing NATO troops to safely pass through Finland to protect sea and road traffic. are not. “If Gotland is controlled, it will be a major obstacle on the way of reinforcement from the west through Norway,” said Dr. Anthony.

Swedish defense sources also point out that the port of Silte, leased by Russia within the framework of the agreement gas pipeline in 2016, was dug deep to accommodate “big ships”.

“They already have a harbor and this can be used if they want to send a lot of troops to Gotland,” a defense official said. “If Russia takes Gotland, it will significantly disrupt NATO’s troop buildup in the Baltic states and will become a hub for surface-to-air missiles that threaten all air traffic.”

Sweden has dispatched an infantry regiment armed with armored vehicles after three Russian amphibious ships were sent from Arctic ports to the Baltic.

“There is real anxiety in Sweden but we believe that anxiety will disappear when we are protected by Article 5 of the Treaty,” said Dr. Gunilla Herolf, a Nordic security policy expert. “NATO treaty” – Dr. Gunilla Herolf – Nordic security policy expert – refers to Article 5 of the NATO Treaty which stipulates that an armed attack against one or more NATO members in Europe or North America would be seen as an attack on NATO as a whole and would be met with a response from members of the bloc, including the use of force.

Ms. Herolf also hopes that US and British troops will quickly arrive in Gotland as soon as Sweden joins NATO, possibly within a few months. “When we become a NATO member, Gotland will be extremely useful to protect the Baltic states because that is where it is most essential.”

Increased “strategic depth” for NATO

Dr Anthony said the vast swathes of Sweden and Finland would give NATO substantial territory allowing for “strategic depth” and “increasing logistics for the rear region”.

Sweden is also in the early stages of restructuring its army, which has shrunk from 100,000 to 23,000 since 1995.

Sweden’s defense industry has “remarkably advanced technology and combat capabilities”, with strong industrial alliances with Britain, the US and Germany. This has allowed Sweden to jointly develop systems such as the NLAW anti-tank missile with the UK, which has been used very effectively in Ukraine.

Sweden also has the Gripen multirole fighter jet as well as advanced electronic warfare systems, air surveillance, smart artillery and jet radar, all of which will prove useful to allies. NATO Future.