Sweden seeks to expropriate Russian-owned estate near Muskö naval base over security concerns
Sweden's armed forces have asked the government to expropriate a Russia-linked property near Muskö Naval Base, citing security concerns around the strategically sensitive site. The request concerns a beach plot on Muskö island in the Stockholm archipelago, where a luxury house has reportedly been under construction. Officials said the location could create risks because of its proximity to the naval installation.
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The military said the property has "unique conditions for strengthening the defence of Muskö Naval Base, particularly against drones." It said the request was driven by "the threat from Russian drones and the ownership situation of the property." Defence Minister Pål Jonson said Sweden needed to "make sure there's no risk of anyone gaining visibility into the site or any kind of tactical edge," according to local reporting. Chief of the Defence Staff Carl-Johan Edström said Sweden was facing "the most serious security situation since the end of World War Two." The case has drawn attention because the property is linked to a businessman said to have ties to the Russian state, while the registered owner is his wife, who holds both Russian and Swedish citizenship. Reports say she has owned the property since 2017.
It is not clear whether the businessman is currently living in Sweden. Public broadcaster SVT described the site as "a thorn in the armed forces' side," reflecting the level of concern around the location. The move comes against the backdrop of Sweden's shift in security policy after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Two years ago, Sweden ended two centuries of military non-alignment and joined Nato, a decision shaped by the changing threat environment in the region. The armed forces said the development of Russian drone warfare has altered the threat landscape for Sweden, underlining why sites near military infrastructure are now being scrutinised more closely. Muskö is already a significant military location, and the base there is regarded as a key part of Sweden's defence posture in the Baltic Sea region.
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Any property that could overlook or otherwise affect the base is likely to be treated as a national-security issue rather than a routine land dispute. The request for expropriation also shows how concerns about foreign ownership can intersect with military planning, especially where surveillance or tactical advantage is feared. What happens next will depend on whether the government agrees to the military's request and what legal process follows.
It remains unclear how quickly any decision could be made, or whether the owners would challenge it. The key questions now are whether the state can justify taking over the land on security grounds and how far Sweden is prepared to go to protect sensitive defence sites.
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