Sweden warns Russia could invade Gotland “at any | Political News

Sweden is bracing for a potential Russian operation to seize the island of Gotland, according to the nation’s top navy commander.

Swedish Chief of Defence Michael Claesson warned that Moscow could execute a land grab “at any time” in order to check NATO’s dedication.

“It does not have to be significantly in depth at all, but more to make a level and wait to see what would possibly occur politically,” Claesson said.

While NATO navy workouts have traditionally centered on a potential Russian ground assault along the alliance’s jap flank, focus is now turning toward the Baltic Sea. War video games have simulated doable Russian landings on strategically very important islands, including Gotland in Sweden, Bornholm in Denmark, and Hiiumaa and Saaremaa in Estonia.

Swedish navy intelligence has cautioned that Russia has the aptitude to increase its warfare effort in the approaching years. Officials also warn that a decision to the Russian battle could allow Putin to redeploy forces nearer to NATO territory.

The alert follows a social media frenzy sparked by footage purportedly exhibiting Putin’s motorcade making a late-night sprint to the Kremlin. The video, which has not been independently verified, appeared to seize a convoy of official autos rushing through the Russian capital.

This comes as US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO allies over what he perceives as inadequate help for the Iran warfare. Most lately, at a Turning Point event in Arizona on Friday, April 17, Trump delivered a keynote speech in which he emphasised the significance of national self-reliance.

Trump said: “If NATO teaches us any one thing, and I hope you all watched because they weren’t there for us, if it teaches us any one thing: we have to rely on ourselves. We can’t rely on outside countries and outside sources.”