Near Pskov, Russia arrests Swedish national, claims Ukraine fighter led drone unit

Detention near Pskov

Russia’s Federal Security Service announced the arrest on Thursday. The Swedish man, aged 35, was detained near Pskov, close to Russia’s western border. FSB representatives said he had been charged with illegally entering Russia. They said further terrorism charges remained possible, including an accusation that he planned sabotage and attacks.

Russia’s account of the case

Russian officials say the man headed a Ukrainian drone unit, and claim documents support that account. The FSB is examining whether he could be accused of organizing attacks for Ukraine or Western intelligence services.

The agency said he entered Russia while pretending he intended to join the Russian armed forces. It alleged that his actual purpose was to target military sites with sabotage and terrorist attacks.

Video and Swedish response

The FSB released footage it described as a confession. In English, the man said he was from Stockholm, had signed a contract with Ukraine’s Defense Ministry and had undergone drone training; Russian state television also showed what it said was his contract.

The Pskov region borders Belarus, Estonia and Latvia, but officials did not say where the man crossed into Russia. Sweden’s Foreign Ministry said it knew about the situation and was not involved.

Other arrests and scrutiny

Russia arrested a Japanese journalist on Tuesday, accusing him of espionage. Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi rejected that allegation. Russia has also faced accusations of recruiting people for sabotage abroad or to enlist local help, as well as deploying cyber actors. The claims made by Russian authorities in the Swedish man’s case have not been substantiated.