Sweden Seeks to Seize Russian‑Owned Property Near Muskö Naval Base

The Swedish military has formally asked the government to expropriate a piece of land adjacent to the Muskö naval base, citing security concerns over potential Russian drone activity.

The plot is owned by a Russian‑linked businessman who is constructing a luxury home on the island. Though the legal title is held by his wife—who holds both Russian and Swedish citizenship—the Defence Ministry says the property's proximity could grant a strategic advantage to enemy forces.

Sweden only joined NATO two years ago, ending centuries of military non‑alignment after Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, the threat landscape has evolved, with Russian drone warfare now considered a serious security concern for the country.

Defence Minister Pål Jonson weighed in, saying the nation must ensure that no third party “gains visibility or a tactical edge” by holding the site. The Chief of the Defence Staff, Carl‑Johan Edström, echoed this sentiment, describing the situation as the most serious security challenge since the end of World War II.

It remains unclear whether the Russian businessman currently resides in Sweden, but the property has been under his wife’s ownership since 2017.