Sweden Seeks to Seize Russian-Owned Land Near Naval Base

## Sweden's Military Eyes Russian-Owned Plot Near Muskö Base Sweden's armed forces have formally requested the expropriation of a piece of land owned by Russian interests adjacent to the Muskö Naval Base — the country's premier naval installation, located south of Stockholm. Defense officials cited the growing threat from Russian drones as the primary reason behind this unusual legal step. The Muskö base serves as home to the Swedish Navy's main headquarters and key underwater facilities. Its strategic importance has grown considerably since Sweden joined NATO in 2024, making the security of surrounding land a concern for the alliance as a whole. ## Drone Threat Fuels Security Action Swedish defense authorities have documented a rising number of unidentified drone incidents near military installations in recent years, a trend widely attributed to Russian surveillance activities across Scandinavia. Officials argue that Russian-affiliated ownership of land directly adjacent to a top naval base presents a genuine intelligence risk that cannot go unaddressed. Under Swedish law, the state may compulsorily acquire private land on national security grounds. Although legally available, expropriation of foreign-owned property for defense reasons remains rare. Military planners appear to have concluded that the operational risk justifies this measure. ## A Wider Nordic Security Trend The move aligns Sweden with a broader Scandinavian pattern of tightening control over locations that could be exploited by hostile states. Norway and Finland have similarly scrutinized Russian-linked property holdings near sensitive military sites, reflecting a region-wide reassessment of vulnerabilities. The decision is expected to prompt a diplomatic reaction from Moscow, which has routinely contested Western restrictions on Russian property interests abroad. Sweden, having only recently shed its traditional neutrality to become a full NATO member, is signaling that national security will take precedence over diplomatic discomfort. Defense analysts note that even ostensibly civilian properties can function as platforms for surveillance or signal intelligence gathering, making their proximity to naval installations a legitimate operational concern. The Swedish expropriation request marks another step in the Nordic countries' collective effort to reduce exposure to potential Russian intelligence operations.