SWEDEN – As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine grinds on, Sweden and Finland are warning their citizens to prepare for the possibility of war, underscoring the growing regional concerns over escalating hostilities.
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On Monday, Sweden issued an updated version of its “In Case of Crisis or War” pamphlet, a guide designed to help civilians prepare for national emergencies. The 32-page document, which has been distributed five times since World War II, is now twice as long as its last edition in 2018 and places a sharper focus on wartime readiness.
“The security situation is serious, and we all need to strengthen our resilience to face various crises and, ultimately, war,” said Mikael Frisell, director of the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency.
The Swedish government plans to distribute an estimated 5.2 million copies to households across the country over the next two weeks. It encourages residents to stockpile essential items like food, baby supplies, medicine, and hygiene products. The pamphlet is also available online in multiple languages to ensure accessibility.
Neighboring Finland has launched a similar initiative, publishing an online brochure detailing the government’s emergency response plans and urging citizens to prepare for potential crises. A September survey revealed that only 58% of Finns currently have adequate supplies at home for an emergency.
Norway, which has already issued its own preparedness guides earlier this year, advised citizens to be self-sufficient for at least one week in the event of a national crisis.
This wave of preparedness campaigns follows Sweden and Finland’s historic decision to join NATO, abandoning decades of neutrality in response to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. Both nations fear further Kremlin attempts to claim territory beyond Eastern Europe.
The new Swedish pamphlet reassures citizens of the country’s commitment to defense, stating that Sweden’s armed forces will protect the nation from hostile threats.
Russia, which now occupies approximately 20% of Ukraine, continues to make incremental advances as the conflict nears its third year. In the meantime, nations across Europe are taking proactive steps to bolster civilian readiness for the possibility of wider regional instability.