Swedish Army Commander-In-Chief: Putin Has His Eye On Strategic Gotland Island In The Baltic Sea

An open attack is possible.

Micael Bydén, Commander-in-Chief of the Swedish Armed Forces, believes that Vladimir Putin wants to seize the Swedish island of Gotland. This island is of strategic importance, because whoever controls it controls the Baltic Sea. That's why Sweden is now sending troops there. Bydén spoke about this in an interview with RND.

When asked whether Putin “has his eye on Gotland,” the Commander-in-Chief replied that the Russian president is looking at this island “with both eyes,” because his goal is control over the Baltic Sea.

“He probably also had his eye on the Åland archipelago. The Russians are closely monitoring what is happening in the Baltic Sea... If Russia takes control and closes off the Baltic Sea, it will have a huge impact on our lives — in Sweden and in all other countries bordering it. We can't allow this to happen. The Baltic Sea should not become Putin’s playground where he terrifies NATO members,” said Micael Bydén, noting that it is in Sweden’s interests for the Baltic to remain open and safe.

Bydén said that at one time there was only a voluntary militia on Gotland. But now, after the start of the war in Ukraine, Sweden had to arm the island and transfer troops there.

“We are currently defending Gotland and can also use the island for offensive operations if necessary. We are very interested in maintaining the open seaway and controlling what happens above and below the surface of the water. From Gotland we can help other NATO countries in the Baltic Sea live in safety. But if Putin invades Gotland, he could threaten NATO countries from the sea. This will mean the end of peace and stability in the Nordic countries and the Baltic region,” Bydén said.

According to him, Sweden also fears not an open attack on Gotland from Russia, but also sabotage. Russia's shadow fleet of old oil tankers is transferring oil to other ships off the island of Gotland and sailing under false flags.

So, according to Budin, there is a possibility that the Russian Federation could cause an environmental disaster and pass it off as an accident. They can also use these old tankers for wiretapping, underwater sabotage, or secretly transporting something.

According to Budin, the war between Russia and Ukraine will drag on for a long time, so we need to be prepared for any scenario.