Swedish Army Wants to Seize Russian Property Near Muskö Base

The Swedish Army has asked the country’s government to seize Russian-owned property near an underground naval base on the Stockholm archipelago, SVT reports.

The Swedish Fortifications Agency, which submitted the application on behalf of the Armed Forces, said the property is located on one of the approaches to the Muskö naval base.

Swedish media reported that it is owned by a Russian businessman with ties to the Kremlin.

The military said the site “has unique conditions for strengthening the defense of the Muskö naval base, including against drones,” and is currently owned by a Russian citizen.

The statement also said the property was the only site not under the military’s control needed to ensure the base’s effective defense, including against drones.

Expressen reported that the property belongs to Russian businessman Stanislav Aleshchenko, who has ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, although it is formally registered in his wife’s name.

Swedish media previously reported that he was building a large country house there, while the government sought ways to stop the construction.

In July, it was reported that the Swedish Security Service had disrupted a Russian operation in which participants sought to influence important decisions in the country and discredit Sweden and the European Union.

Swedish officials identified two officers of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) who had recruited an employee of a foreign embassy in Stockholm to obtain classified information about the country’s international relations and exploit divisive issues.

Because all three participants had diplomatic immunity, they could not be arrested or prosecuted and have already left Sweden.

The agency said it released details of the case to warn the public about threats from Russia, noting that one in three Russian diplomats in the country is linked to the intelligence services.

Muskö Base (Musköbasen)

Muskö Base (Musköbasen) is one of Sweden’s most important naval facilities, located on the island of Muskö in the Stockholm archipelago, south of Stockholm.

Its main feature is that much of the facility lies within granite bedrock. Construction began in 1950, and the main complex was completed in 1969.

The Swedish Navy built docks, repair facilities, storage areas, command facilities, and other military installations inside the rock. The base was designed so that the Swedish Navy could continue operating in the event of war and attacks on above-ground infrastructure.

After the Cold War, Muskö’s importance declined, and in the 2000s Sweden even planned to reduce its military presence at the base. However, as the security situation in the Baltic region deteriorated, its importance rose sharply again.

In 2019, the Swedish Navy announced its return to Muskö, and the Navy headquarters was effectively relocated to the base. Today, Muskö is one of the key command centers for Sweden’s naval forces.