Fears of Russia invading countries outside of Ukraine are growing as the “provocations”--including incursions into the sea and air--increase.
The latest is a Russian submarine reportedly detected just outside Stockholm in Sweden, prompting a swift response from Swedish military.
The Swedes learned from experience--last year six Russian military planes carried out a simulated missile attack on Stockholm and southern Sweden.
“What’s happening in the Stockholm archipelago is a serious matter,” Karin Enström, who was Sweden’s defence minister until the elections this autumn, told Newsweek.
“Russia is modernising its military equipment and testing it, but there are also more military exercises. It’s a sign of Russia increasing its military capabilities, both when it comes to equipment and fighting abilities. These developments in combination with the war in Ukraine are very serious and alarming. Ukraine is impacting on our part of the world very negatively.”
Other countries near Ukraine, such as Latvia and Lithuania, are seeing Russia bulk up its military.
Latvia’s ministry of defence says that in 2010 there was only one Russian military vessel spotted close to its waters--but this year there have been more than 40. And the number of Russian military approaches to Latvian airspace resulting in scrambles has jumped from five in 2010 to more than 180 this year, a similar jump seen in Lithuania. Estonia is also dealing with problems, such as Russia abducting one of its intelligence officers. Finland is dealing with similar issues.
