Sweden is preparing for a Russian operation to capture the island of Gotland, according to the head of the country’s armed forces.
The Swedish defense chief, Michael Claesson, said Moscow could seize land “at any time” to test NATO’s resolve.
“It doesn’t need to be particularly sweeping, but to make a point and wait to see what might happen politically,” Clason said.
NATO military exercises have traditionally focused on a potential Russian land attack on NATO’s eastern flank, but attention is now shifting to the Baltic Sea.
War games have simulated possible Russian landings on strategically important islands such as Gotland in Sweden, Bornholm in Denmark, and Hiiumaa and Saaremaa in Estonia.
Swedish military intelligence has warned that Russia is capable of expanding its war in the coming years.
They also warn that an end to the Russia war could allow Putin to redeploy forces closer to NATO territory.
The warning came after Putin sparked an uproar on social media after footage purportedly showed his motorcade rushing towards the Kremlin for a late-night meeting.
Video footage, which has not been independently verified, shows several official cars racing through the Russian capital.
It comes after the US President donald trump He has repeatedly attacked NATO allies over their lack of support for the Iran war.
Recently at a Turning Point vent in Arizona on Friday, April 17, Trump said during his keynote speech that his country has to rely on itself.
Trump said: “If NATO teaches us any one thing, and I hope you all saw that because they weren’t there for us, if it teaches us any one thing: we have to trust ourselves.”
“We cannot rely on outside countries and outside sources.”
