# Russia detains Swedish citizen for alleged espionage

> The FSB says a 35-year-old Swede crossed the border illegally and signed up with a Ukrainian military unit to carry out sabotage in Russia.
- Title: Russia detains Swedish citizen for alleged espionage
- Summary: The FSB says a 35-year-old Swede crossed the border illegally and signed up with a Ukrainian military unit to carry out sabotage in Russia. Russia's FSB…
- Keywords: russia, fsb, sweden, espionage, ukraine, aidar battalion, border crossing, politics, world, detains, Swedish, citizen
- Source: POLITICO — https://politico.eu/article/russia-federal-security-service-detain-sweden-citizen-espionage
- Published: 2026-10-15T14:09:37+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: russia, fsb, sweden, espionage, ukraine, aidar battalion, border crossing, politics, world
## Swedish citizen detained in Russia
Russia's Federal Security Service detained a Swedish citizen in the Pskov region near the Estonian border on Thursday. He is accused of crossing the border illegally.
## Man admits signing with Ukrainian unit
The FSB published videos showing the 35-year-old man confirming his identity and stating he signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine's Aidar Battalion to carry out acts of sabotage in Russia.
## Sweden investigates, embassy warns citizens
The Swedish Foreign Ministry said it is investigating the reports. The Swedish embassy in Moscow advised its citizens against visiting Russia, citing deterioration in the security situation.
## Key takeaway

Russia's FSB detained a Swedish citizen in Pskov on Thursday, accusing him of illegal border crossing, terrorism and mercenarism after he allegedly signed with Ukraine's Aidar Battalion.