To Dagens Arbete, Stefan Ingvarsson says – we have not reviewed what is strategically worth protecting in Sweden.
An investigation by Dagens Arbete has revealed that a Russian-owned company was commissioned to create 3D visualizations of critical infrastructure in northern Sweden, including ports, mines, and even areas crucial for national defence. This has raised serious security concerns, as municipalities such as Malå and Kalix failed to conduct thorough background checks on the company despite its Russian ownership.
The company, run by Russian citizens, was hired for projects involving sensitive locations like the port of Luleå and the LKAB mine, a future major copper producer. Notably, they visualized a housing development in Malå near water protection areas of national defense significance.
These 3D visualizations provide detailed insights into the layout and functionality of critical infrastructure, raising concerns about potential misuse by foreign actors. Experts warn of the potential risks.
Stefan Ingvarsson from the Swedish Institute for International Affairs points out that Russian intelligence could exploit the access to such information, regardless of whether it's classified.
The Russian CEO of the 3D company denied any knowledge of the consultant's connections to the Russian military industry. He also dismissed the suggestion that the company had animated sensitive information. When asked if he understood the concerns raised, the CEO responded:
– I can understand that some people have questions about Russian citizens. However, I fail to see how these concerns apply to me. I have been a lifelong critic of Putin, and this is one of the reasons I chose to leave Russia.
– What a person thinks about the war or Putin doesn't really say much, regarding their susceptibility to pressure from Russia, Ingvarsson emphasises.
Jörgen Holmlund, a lecturer at the Swedish National Defence University, deems the visualized areas "extremely sensitive." He argues that procuring such services from Russian citizens might be necessary to avoid, even if it appears discriminatory.
Anna Karin Horney, a former official in Kalix and Malå municipalities, admitted to overlooking the potential security implications.
– I have to say that I didn't think about doing a background check at all, she said.
One of the co-owners was also from Kalix, she tells Norran.
Anna Karin Horney was familiar with the company before it was hired in Malå.