Russia's FSB detains Swedish national on suspicion of planning sabotage for Ukraine

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced on Thursday that it has detained a 35-year-old Swedish national suspected of planning acts of sabotage and terrorism on behalf of Ukraine. The individual, identified by authorities as Freddy Lindholm from Stockholm, was apprehended in the western Pskov region, an area situated near the borders of Latvia and Belarus.

According to the FSB, the man entered Russia under the pretense of seeking to join the Russian Armed Forces. Officials allege that his true intent was to conduct attacks against Russian military facilities. The security service stated that the man has been charged with illegally crossing the border and may face further charges related to terrorism.

In a video released by the FSB, the man stated in English that he had traveled to Russia to execute terrorist attacks and sabotage using first-person view (FPV) drones. He claimed to have signed a contract in the Ukrainian city of Ternopil with the Aidar Battalion, a unit within the Ukrainian military, and reported that he had undergone training in the use of drones for surveillance purposes. Russian state television broadcast images of a document purported to be a contract signed by the man with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence.

The Swedish Foreign Ministry confirmed it is aware of reports regarding the detention of a Swedish citizen in Russia. However, the ministry stated that it is not currently involved in the case.

As of Thursday, there has been no official comment from the Ukrainian government regarding the allegations or the individual’s reported connection to the Ukrainian military. The investigation into the man's activities remains ongoing as Russian authorities continue to process the charges.