Russian submarines are here “every week”

Swedish Navy submarine alert: Russia strengthens presence in Baltic Sea

Felix Wilow

Updated 10.49 | Published 09.49

 

Photo: Johan Nilsson / TT

The Swedish Navy encounters Russian submarines in the Baltic Sea “almost every week”.

Now they are preparing for even more.

“We assess that Russia will strengthen its capabilities in this region,” says the Navy’s Chief of Operations Marko Petkovic to The Guardian.

Russia is constantly strengthening its presence in the Baltic Sea area, says the Navy’s Chief of Operations Marko Petkovic to The Guardian.

The Swedish Navy encounters Russian submarines “almost every week”. The number of sightings is said to have increased especially in recent years. Russia’s shadow fleet of civilian-flagged oil tankers is also considered a problem.

 

Photo: Johan Nilsson / TT

"Could affect our nations"

According to Petkovic, there is a possibility that this type of ship could be used to launch drones.

- The shadow fleet itself is not a military problem, but the shadow fleet could affect our nations from a military perspective, says Marko Petkovic.

Russia is reportedly undergoing a "conscious and constant" modernization of its submarines. Petkovic believes that the presence will increase further in the event of a possible ceasefire in Ukraine.

- That said, the Swedish navy needs to continuously grow and focus on the big picture.

           

           

         Swedish fighter aircraft and warships encountered a submarine in the Kattegat in October.

         1 / 2Photo: Swedish Armed Forces

Increased vigilance

The Baltic Sea region is also facing an increased number of threats in the form of suspected hybrid attacks from drones, alleged sabotage of underwater infrastructure and a steady flow of aging shadow fleet vessels transporting crude oil from Russia, according to the newspaper.

After NATO strengthened vigilance in the Baltic Sea in January, no cable sabotage has been reported in the region, says Marko Petkovic.

– Regardless of whether any of the incidents have been state-sponsored or whether it has been poor seamanship, or something in between, it has increased awareness among the merchant fleet that they should be a little more careful when traveling in our regional waters.