Just a month ago, on the 1,000th day since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, the Swedish government distributed a guidebook to its citizens titled In Case of Crisis or War. The booklet provides practical advice on preparing for a potential Russian nuclear strike, which could target not only Ukraine, but also neighboring countries. This week, Sweden's government introduced additional safety regulations, some of them extraordinary.
For instance, the MSB assigned Gothenburg's main church the task of preparing burial arrangements for 30,000 soldiers in the event of war or a "major disaster." The agency also urged churches and funeral directors to secure spaces so that "we can bury a very large number of deceased in a short time," a grim statement that has caused alarm nationwide.
The MSB further requested the city to allocate 10 acres of land for the rapid burial of individuals, potentially amounting to 5% of the local population. "We must prepare for military burials—something new for us that we have never had to do before," said Catharina Evenstedt, who oversees burials for Sweden's Lutheran Church, which manages most cemeteries in Gothenburg, during an interview with Swedish public radio.
Following the Cold War, Sweden significantly scaled back its defense infrastructure. Now, it appears the country is working to rebuild it. In contrast, neighboring Finland maintained its defense systems despite the belief that European nations might never again have to fight for their survival. In light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, both Sweden and Finland sought NATO membership, with many local politicians openly discussing the possibility of regional war.
Once dismissed as an alarmist, President Vladimir Putin's aggressive actions have united Sweden's parliament behind the need for preparedness. Echoing NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's statement, "We are not at war, but neither are we at peace," Sweden—the newest member of NATO since joining last March—finds itself on the brink of an armed conflict with Russia. According to the Nordic Times, the Swedish government has already informed citizens that the country is effectively at war.
Last Friday, Swedish Army Commander Jonny Lindfors discussed the escalating security situation with British Army Commander Roland Walker. Both agreed on the significant threat posed by Russia to Europe. "The Russian self-image, where they believe they have the right to dominate neighboring states, threatens Europe's security," said Lindfors. He added, "They are not only fighting Ukraine but waging a battle against the entire West."
Although Sweden does not share a border with Russia and is therefore less geopolitically vulnerable than Finland or Norway, it treats the Russian threat with equal seriousness. Since 1931, Sweden has maintained an alarm system that sounds four times a year to ensure it remains operational. During these drills, citizens are required to tune in to public radio channels to receive instructions and respond accordingly. Until now, the alarms have always been false. Soon, Swedes may have to face the reality of a genuine alert.
