'Planned terrorist acts on behalf of Ukraine': Swedish national arrested in Russia
The FSB accuses the 35-year-old of plotting attacks on behalf of Ukraine after allegedly entering Russia under the guise of joining its armed forces.
Quick Look
Russia's FSB arrested 35-year-old Swedish national Freddy Lindholm, accusing him of plotting terrorist attacks and sabotage for Ukraine after crossing the border.
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Why It Matters
Since the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022, President Vladimir Putin has tasked the FSB with stepping up efforts to counter foreign spies and saboteurs.
Russia’s domestic intelligence agency, the FSB, on Thursday announced it has arrested of a Swedish national, accusing him of plotting “terrorist attacks” and “acts of sabotage” on behalf of Ukraine.
According to the FSB, the 35-year-old has been charged with illegally crossing the border and could face additional terrorism-related charges.
“Under the pretence of joining the ranks of the Russian Armed Forces, he travelled to the Russian Federation to carry out sabotage and terrorist acts at military facilities,” the agency said in a statement.
The FSB also released a video of what it described as the man’s confession. Identifying himself as Freddy Lindholm from Stockholm, he claimed to have travelled to Russia to use FPV (first-person view) drones to carry out “terrorist attacks” and "acts of sabotage" on behalf of Ukraine.
Speaking in English, Lindholm alleged that he had signed a contract with the Ukrainian army’s Aidar Battalion in the city of Ternopil before undergoing training in FPV drone operations for surveillance purposes. Russian state television also aired a copy of a contract he had purportedly signed with Ukraine’s Defence Ministry.
Lindholm was arrested in Russia’s western Pskov region, near the borders with Latvia and Belarus. The FSB further alleged that he had served as a Ukrainian drone commander under a contract from February to June, describing the unit as a “terrorist organisation”.
Sweden’s foreign ministry acknowledged media reports about the detention but said it was not currently involved in the case. Ukraine had no immediate comment.
Since the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022, President Vladimir Putin has tasked the FSB with stepping up efforts to counter foreign spies and saboteurs.
On Tuesday, the agency announced the detention of a Japanese journalist in Russia’s Far East on suspicion of espionage. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi denied on Thursday that Tokyo was conducting espionage activities in Russia.
Open Questions
- Will Sweden provide consular access to Freddy Lindholm?
- What specific charges will be formally filed against the detainee?
