Drone drops paint on Russian Trade Mission in Stockholm again

ISTANBUL

A drone dropped paint on the premises of the Russian Trade Mission in Stockholm early Saturday, marking the latest in a string of similar incidents targeting Russian diplomatic sites in Sweden.

“Early in the morning of November 8, another drone dropped paint on the grounds of the Russian Trade Mission in Stockholm. Since May 2024, the number of similar incidents involving the Russian Embassy and Trade Mission has now exceeded two dozen. Comments, as they say, are unnecessary,” the Russian Embassy wrote on Telegram.

The diplomatic mission told Russian state news agency Tass that over 15 drone attacks have been recorded since May 2024, causing property damage and posing safety risks due to the use of glass containers filled with paint.

It added that, while police were notified and diplomatic notes were sent to Sweden's Foreign Ministry, the perpetrators had yet to be identified.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova earlier accused Stockholm of failing to meet its international obligations, claiming that the drone attacks were carried out "with the full connivance of Swedish authorities." She alleged that Sweden "grossly violates" the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and "appears incapable of enforcing domestic legislation."

The Russian Embassy stated that while it continues to strengthen security measures, its "capabilities are limited."