Sweden issues pamphlet telling citizens what to do if Russia attacks
Norway and Finland also launched a campaign to advise people what they should do in the event of an invasion.
Sweden on Monday started to distribute copies of a booklet advising its citizens how to prepare for war, as Nordic countries teach people how to brace for a potential Russian attack.
The 32-page brochure, which is also available in English and several other languages, advises citizens on warning systems, how to seek shelter during an air raid and even psychological and digital security.
“We live in uncertain times. Armed conflicts are currently being waged in our corner of the world. Terrorism, cyber attacks, and disinformation campaigns are being used to undermine and influence us,” the booklet’s prologue says.
The booklet provides some information on how people can get involved in collective preparedness, such as joining a volunteer defense organization, taking a course in emergency CPR, donating blood, or talking with neighbors about how to become more prepared.
“To resist these threats, we must stand united. If Sweden is attacked, everyone must do their part to defend Sweden’s independence — and our democracy. We build resilience every day,” the pamphlet adds. “You are part of Sweden’s overall emergency preparedness.”
As Norwegian paper Aftenposten recently reported, Norway’s citizens have also received similar “emergency preparedness” pamphlets because “in the worst case” acts of war could also affect Norway.
Finland’s government, too, has released a digital booklet to prepare citizens for “incidents and crises,” stating that the country “has always been prepared for the worst possible threat, war.”
Sweden’s Defense Minister Pål Jonson sounded the alarm last month, telling POLITICO that, “Russia is the principal threat to Sweden, and it constitutes a threat to the whole [NATO] alliance.” According to Jonson, the risk of a Russian attack on the country “cannot be excluded.”
Stockholm’s former defense chief even specified his concerns about the strategically located Swedish island of Gotland. “I am sure that Putin even has both eyes on Gotland. Putin’s goal is to gain control of the Baltic Sea,” Micael Bydén said in May.
Sweden will increase military spending to 2.4 percent of GDP next year.
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