{"id":673464,"date":"2026-01-04T14:50:21","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T14:50:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/673464\/"},"modified":"2026-01-04T14:50:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T14:50:21","slug":"russia-uses-fishermen-tourists-for-espionage-near-norwegian-border-norways-military-says-united24-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/673464\/","title":{"rendered":"Russia Uses Fishermen, Tourists for Espionage Near Norwegian Border, Norway\u2019s Military Says \u2014 UNITED24 Media"},"content":{"rendered":"

Russia has been intensifying intelligence-gathering efforts along its border with Norway by\u00a0deploying operatives disguised as\u00a0fishermen and tourists, Norwegian military officials report.<\/p>\n

According to\u00a0SVT News, Norwegian authorities have identified several incidents involving Russian nationals entering the northern port city of\u00a0Kirkenes under false pretenses. Some posed as\u00a0tourists, while others arrived aboard fishing vessels later found to\u00a0be\u00a0engaged in\u00a0espionage activity.<\/p>\n

Brigadier General John Olav Fuglem, commander of\u00a0Norway\u2019s newly formed Finnmark Brigade, told<\/a> SVT that the threat of\u00a0espionage in\u00a0the region has grown significantly over the past year. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u00a0see a\u00a0greater threat up\u00a0here, and it\u2019s primarily about espionage and the collection of\u00a0information,\u201d Fuglem said. <\/p>\n

\"Kirkenes,<\/a>
\n Kirkenes, a\u00a0Norwegian border town located between Finland, Russia, and the Arctic Ocean. (Source: SVT Graphics)<\/p>\n

His unit is\u00a0stationed near the 198-kilometer land border Norway shares with Russia in\u00a0the S\u00f8r-Varanger municipality.<\/p>\n

In\u00a0response to\u00a0these threats, Norway has launched a\u00a0broad military and security expansion in\u00a0the country\u2019s northernmost region. The Finnmark Brigade, established in\u00a0August 2025, is\u00a0expected to\u00a0grow to\u00a01,300 troops by\u00a02032. <\/p>\n

The unit will include additional infantry and ranger battalions, a\u00a0new air defense component, artillery, engineering units, and a\u00a0dedicated reconnaissance company.<\/p>\n

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Europe Is Already at War: A Peacetime Mindset Leaves It Vulnerable to Russian Hybrid Attacks<\/a><\/p>\n

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According to\u00a0SVT, Norwegian forces are working closely with local residents in\u00a0the border region to\u00a0identify suspicious activity. Residents of\u00a0Pasvik and other areas near the Russian border have become key participants in\u00a0early detection efforts.<\/p>\n

In\u00a0parallel, Norway is\u00a0physically reinforcing its border with new fences, sensor networks, surveillance cameras, and drone monitoring systems. The government has announced that key points such as\u00a0Skafferhullet and the Storskog checkpoint\u2014the only official crossing between Norway and Russia\u2014will be\u00a0prioritized for infrastructure upgrades.<\/p>\n

\"Norway<\/p>\n

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Latest news<\/a><\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

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Brigadier Fuglem also noted increased cooperation with military units in\u00a0Finland and Sweden. With both countries now members of\u00a0NATO, regional collaboration has intensified, particularly with Finnish forces in\u00a0Sodankyl\u00e4 and Kajaani, and Swedish forces in\u00a0Boden, Norrbotten. \u201cWe\u00a0feel stronger now that our neighboring countries are part of\u00a0NATO,\u201d Fuglem said.<\/p>\n

Earlier, The Guardian reported<\/a> on\u00a0December 6\u00a0that the Swedish navy encounters Russian submarines in\u00a0the Baltic Sea \u201calmost weekly,\u201d with Capt. Marko Petkovic warning of\u00a0increased activity if\u00a0a\u00a0ceasefire is\u00a0reached in\u00a0Ukraine. <\/p>\n

He\u00a0said Russia is\u00a0steadily modernizing its fleet and that hybrid threats\u2014such as\u00a0drone incursions and potential sabotage of\u00a0undersea infrastructure\u2014have made the region increasingly volatile.<\/p>\n

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Help our reporters investigate lies, verify facts, and deliver truth from Ukraine\u2019s frontlines.<\/p>\n

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