String of attacks raises alarm over Sweden's telecom safety
A series of 30 incidents involving damage to telecommunications infrastructure in Sweden were reported by Swedish state media, SVT, on Friday. The incidents are being treated as acts of sabotage. Police suspect that one group is responsible for most of them.
What do you need to know?
- Where and when did the attacks take place? The attacks mainly occurred on the eastern coast of Sweden, with the first reports appearing during the Easter holidays.
- What are the effects of the attacks? Although there were no significant disruptions to network operations, the damages include cut cables and destroyed fuses.
- Who is conducting the investigation? The Serious Crimes Unit leads the inquiry in Kalmar, and the Swedish Security Service is also involved.
What are the police suspicions?
Swedish police are investigating a series of 30 attacks on telecommunications masts. The incidents are being treated as acts of sabotage, with most occurring along the eastern coast of the country.
"We are taking this seriously, and that is why we have decided to take action," stated Police Inspector Håkan Wessung to national broadcaster SVT.
"In many places, technical equipment was destroyed, and a distinctive feature of this event is that reports came to us from a limited geographical area," explained Roger Gustafsson, head of security at the Swedish Post and Telecom Agency (PTS).
Is one group behind the attacks?
Police suspect that a single group is responsible for most of the attacks. "There are circumstances that make everything seem related, but that is something the investigation must show," says Prosecutor Michelle Stein, who is leading the investigation. The investigation is coordinated by the Serious Crimes Unit in Kalmar, which is analyzing the collected materials.
What are the reactions to the increase in incidents?
The company Teracom has also noted an increase in incidents related to telecommunications infrastructure, reporting 50 incidents in the first four months of 2025. "There are circumstances that make everything seem related, but the investigation must show it," says Stefan Steijnick, head of security at Teracom. The company suspects that some of these incidents may be related to intelligence attempts.
Carl-Oskar Bohlin, head of the Ministry of Civil Defense, also addressed the matter. "Given the security situation, we must constantly work towards achieving the best possible overall situational awareness," he told SVT.
"The government takes the information about suspected sabotage seriously," he assured.
Source: SVT
