Countries bordering and near Russia have begun issuing survival guides to all of their citizens, amid fears that Vladimir Putin’s warmongering in Ukraine could spill over into neighbouring territories. In spite of the threat of further Russian aggression, Nordic states have told residents “You are part of Sweden’s overall emergency preparedness.”
This week, as Ukraine began using UK-made Storm Shadow missiles on targets deep inside Russia and President Putin drastically escalated his threat of using a nuclear weapon, residents across Sweden and Finland were directed by their governments to begin stockpiling supplies, learning CPR, and donating blood. Swedish people were invited to join up with informal volunteer defence militias ahead of a potential outbreak of conflict.
Entitled ‘In case of crisis or war,’ the pamphlet, which is arriving at millions of homes in Sweden, reads: « We can never take our freedom for granted. Our courage and will to defend our open society are vital, even though it may require us to make certain sacrifices.
« If Sweden is attacked, we will never surrender. »
The 32-page pamphlet lays out armed conflict, terrorism, and cyber attacks as just some of the threats currently facing countries fearing Russian aggression. But this threat is nothing new to many of the countries along the Baltic Sea, who rebuffed Russian advances during and following World War 2.
With Putin’s war in Ukraine appearing to escalate in danger for the NATO countries, many of which now border Ukraine or Russia, Swedes are being told to defend their nation. The pamphlet instructs: « If Sweden is attacked, everyone must do their part to defend Sweden’s independence — and our democracy. We build resilience every day. »
Citizens are also being told: « From the year you turn 16 until the end of the year you turn 70, you are part of Sweden’s total defence and required to serve in the event of war or the threat of war. »
Sweden’s Defense Minister Pal Jonson previous told Politico that a Russian attack on his country « cannot be excluded, » and identified Russia as their « principle threat. » Former Swedish military chief Micael Byden told the magazine that Russia wanted a strategic island in the Baltic, saying: « I am sure that Putin even has both eyes on Gotland. Putin’s goal is to gain control of the Baltic Sea. »
Meanwhile Finland, which borders Russia and has defended itself against its neighbour’s territorial ambitions since declaring independence over a century ago, has issued similar instructions to its citizens in a digital self-defence guide. The Finnish are more prepared than any NATO member should Putin expand his war, with an army numbering almost 1.2 million people due to compulsory military service.
After fighting off the Soviet Union in the 1939 Winter War, Finland directed both private business and its citizens to engage in civic defence, something which continues through to today. “Preparedness is a civic skill in the current global situation. When people know how to act in emergency situations, society’s resilience to crises is well established,” said the country’s Director of Rescue Services, Kimmo Kohvakka.
In both countries, citizens are also being instructed to learn the location of their nearest bomb shelter in case of air raid or nuclear attack. Similarly, every residents is being urged to prepare their homes in case they cannot leave for several days, with water, food, blankets, candles, matches, and battery-operated radios to receive official information.
Both Nordic nations abandoned decades of neutrality following Putin’s deadly war in Ukraine, opting to join the NATO alliance – which is based on the principle that an attack on one member is an attack on all.
The former Prime Minister of Finland, Sauli Niinistö has been tasked with preparing a similar survival guide for the rest of the European Union amid the increasing threat of escalating conflict. He told El Mundo: « Most Europeans do not have enough material to survive for 72 hours. We must create guides and offer them techniques. »
Sweden’s Defense Minister Pal Jonson previous told Politico that a Russian attack on his country « cannot be excluded, » and identified Russia as their « principle threat. » Former Swedish military chief Micael Byden told the magazine: « I am sure that Putin even has both eyes on Gotland. Putin’s goal is to gain control of the Baltic Sea, »
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