Peter Hultqvist, the defense policy spokesperson for the Social Democrats, has called for Russian GPS jamming to be classified as terrorism. He highlighted the increasing frequency of these disruptions, which pose significant threats to aviation and maritime safety in Sweden and other Nordic and Baltic countries.
Swedish Politician Labels Russian GPS Jamming as Terrorism
Swedish Politician Labels Russian GPS Jamming as Terrorism
Russian GPS jamming should be considered an act of terrorism, according to Peter Hultqvist, the defense policy spokesperson for the Social Democrats, during a press conference.
Russian GPS disruptions targeting Swedish aviation and maritime sectors destabilize the country, risk causing serious accidents, and have been increasing annually, Hultqvist stated at a press conference on Friday.
"These are disruptions from Russia that primarily affect the Nordic and Baltic countries. And it has increased. In 2023, we recorded 55 disruptions aimed at Sweden. In 2024, it increased to 495. Up until September this year, we have noted 733," said Hultqvist.
The Russian activity is clearly a threat to aviation safety and maritime traffic. They should be regarded as terrorism, said the Social Democrats' defense policy spokesperson.
"The government should create an international platform with other affected countries to classify GPS jamming as terrorism."
Such incidents should be brought to prosecutors to be pursued as acts of terrorism, Hultqvist added.
"The disruptions are part of a comprehensive hybrid warfare from the Russian side and must be handled with greater firmness than is currently the case. That's why we want to introduce terrorism into this context."