Russia Accuses Sweden of Failing to Protect Embassy After Fake Drone Drops

Russia’s embassy in Sweden said two drones targeted its diplomatic compound in Stockholm overnight.

According to the embassy, the incident occurred at around 2 a.m. local time on Thursday. It said one quadcopter released red paint onto the embassy grounds, while a second drone carrying a fake explosive device crashed near the embassy building.

The embassy described the episode as “not merely a provocation, but an outright attempt to intimidate” Russian diplomatic staff, adding that such actions “will not succeed.”

The Russian embassy also claimed the attacks on the embassy have become systematic, saying there have been dozens of similar incidents over the past two years.

The embassy accused Swedish authorities of failing to adequately protect the diplomatic mission or bring those responsible to justice, despite obligations under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

The embassy said it holds the Swedish side responsible for preventing further incidents and for any potential consequences.

Swedish authorities have not commented on the embassy’s claims.

Russia’s hybrid threats

Conversely, Russia has been linked to using hybrid warfare techniques in operations to sabotage European states.

On June 15, an investigation revealed that a Russian-linked handler, believed to be a diplomat trained in information warfare, recruited and paid Ukrainian nationals to carry out arson attacks on a Toyota RAV4 and two homes connected to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

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The operation is thought to be a part of a wider campaign run from Moscow, in which fake far-right and Muslim groups were created online to incite division and spread disinformation in Britain.

According to the BBC’s investigation, the arson attack played a smaller role in an “extensive campaign of sabotage, provocation and lies” that ultimately led back to the Russian Federation.

Earlier incidents included firebombs on planes destined for the UK and drones entering NATO territory after being knocked off course by Russian electronic interference.

Former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace described the operation as a “very deliberate and definite escalation against the British state,” one that would have certainly required approval from the highest levels of power in Russia.