Sweden held a war simulation exercise, in which the royal family was involved. The announcement, made in Russian
King Carl Gustaf of Sweden. Credit: ANDREJ IVANOV / AFP / Profimedia
The government in Stockholm announced on Friday that it had carried out a war simulation exercise in which – in addition to the armed forces – the king, the crown princess and a number of elected officials were involved, according to a statement translated into Russian, AFP notes.
The government said it was the first time since the 1990s that such a large-scale exercise involving members of the royal household had taken place.
With tensions running high amid Russia's war against Ukraine, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said in a statement that the exercise took place “in light of the current security situation”.
“It is important that joint exercises take place, especially given the current security situation. Step by step and exercise after exercise, we are strengthening Sweden's defense and overall resilience,” the official said in the statement, quoted by Agerpres.
The exercise focused on “measures to maintain Sweden's security” in a “scenario involving war and the risk of war”.
“Such exercises focus on handling incidents and situations – both national and international – that could create challenges or tensions for Sweden, Swedish citizens or Swedish interests,” the statement added.
The release was followed by a translation of the text into Russian.
Sweden's intelligence and defense services describe Russia as the main threat to the country. The authorities in Stockholm have accelerated the increase in military spending in the context of the war in Ukraine and the accession to NATO in 2024, intending to allocate 300 billion kroner (27 billion euros) for defense in the next ten years.
