Swedish Defence Chief warns that Russia could soon test NATO's unity with possible Baltic Sea island attacks amid rising regional tensions and shadow fleet activity.

Swedish Chief of Defence Michael Claesson warned that Russia may test NATO's cohesion sooner than previously expected by potentially attacking an island in the Baltic Sea region. He indicated that Russia might seek to exploit perceived vulnerabilities within NATO before Western defense build-up is complete, conducting such operations on a small scale without redeploying troops currently engaged in Ukraine. The security situation in the Baltic Sea is deteriorating, partly due to increased activity of the Russian shadow fleet which facilitates sanctions evasion, now more numerous and better protected by escort vessels, raising escalation risks. Claesson emphasized the necessity for Sweden and neighboring countries to continue military readiness, exercises, and deterrence efforts to raise the cost of any aggression by Russia.