Sweden's military intelligence warns Russia threat will outlast Putin

Head of Sweden's military intelligence agency Thomas Nilsson believes Russia will likely remain a threat to neighboring countries long after President Vladimir Putin’s time in office ends.

Nilsson made the remarks in an interview with Bloomberg, CE Report quotes Ukrinform.

"We don’t see this crisis as a temporary one; Russia has chosen its path, and there is no way back. We are in a strategic confrontation that is deep, structural and enduring – we can’t wish that away," Nilsson said.

In his view, Russia's threat to neighboring countries will persist even after Putin’s time in office ends.

Nordic national broadcasters recently reported on satellite imagery suggesting Moscow is building out its military presence close to the NATO's eastern flank.

Russian authorities, however, maintain that the military infrastructure is "of defensive character."

Nilsson said Russia plans to establish a larger, more structured military force "from northern Finland all the way down” but noted that "so far these are mainly just plans," as Moscow continues to prioritize its war against Ukraine.

“Our assessment is that once Russia regains the necessary resources and capacity, it will try to carry out these plans,” he said.

Putin has repeatedly criticized the entry of Sweden and Finland into NATO in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and warned that Moscow would deploy forces in retaliation.

As reported, Magnus Hjort, Director General of the Swedish Psychological Defence Agency, recently said that the overwhelming majority of Swedes view Russia as a deadly threat.

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