Stockholm — Sweden's armed forces have formally requested the government to expropriate a property near the Muskö naval base in the Stockholm archipelago, citing the need to bolster defences against drone threats. The property, owned by a Russian national, sits at one of the approaches to the strategically vital base.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Swedish Armed Forces said the location offers "unique conditions for strengthening the defence of Muskö Naval Base, particularly against drones." The military noted that the current owner holds Russian citizenship, and Swedish media have identified the individual as Stanislav Aleshchenko, a businessman with reported ties to the Kremlin. The property is formally registered in his wife's name.
Drone warfare reshapes threat landscape
The military's request underscores a broader shift in European security thinking. "The development of Russian drone warfare has changed the threat landscape for Sweden," the armed forces said. "There is therefore a need to take measures to protect Sweden against the threat posed by both aerial and sea-going drones."
The property is described as "the only location" not currently at the military's disposal that would allow for an effective defence of the base, particularly against drone incursions. The Swedish Fortifications Agency, which manages defence-related real estate, has submitted the expropriation request on behalf of the armed forces.
Sweden's decision to end two centuries of military non-alignment and join NATO in 2024, following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, has heightened scrutiny of foreign-owned assets near sensitive installations. The Muskö base, carved into a mountain, serves as a key hub for the Swedish Navy and has become increasingly important within the alliance's Baltic Sea posture.
Public broadcaster SVT reported that the property has long been "a thorn in the armed forces' side." Swedish media have previously detailed Aleshchenko's construction of a massive vacation home on the site, which prompted government efforts to halt the building work.
Chief of the Defence Staff Carl-Johan Edström framed the move in stark terms. "We are facing the most serious security situation since the end of the Second World War and the threat against Sweden and the Alliance is real," he said in the armed forces statement.
The expropriation request now goes to the Swedish government, which will decide whether to proceed. Legal experts note that such takings are rare but not unprecedented when national security is at stake. The property's proximity to a naval base gives the state strong grounds under Swedish law, though compensation would likely be owed to the owners.
The development comes as Ukraine expands its own drone campaign against Russian targets, illustrating how drone technology has become a central element of modern warfare. Meanwhile, the EU has approved €6.1 billion for Ukraine's air defences amid ongoing Russian strikes, further highlighting the continent's focus on countering aerial threats.
For Sweden, the move signals a pragmatic approach to securing its territory in an era of heightened tension. As the country integrates more deeply into NATO's command structures, such measures are likely to become more common across the alliance's eastern flank.
