Two unidentified drones targeted the Russian Embassy in Sweden early Thursday morning, with one device dropping a container of red paint and another crashing on the premises with a fake explosive device. The Russian diplomatic mission has formally accused Swedish authorities of failing to ensure the security of the site, marking the latest in a series of reported security breaches at the compound.
Details of the drone incident
The Russian Embassy stated that the incident occurred at approximately 2:00 a.m. local time on Thursday. According to the mission, one drone deployed a container of red paint onto the property, while a second drone crashed on the grounds of the embassy. Diplomats described the second crash as an intentional act rather than an accident.
In a public statement released Thursday, the mission characterized the event as a “provocation” and an “overt attempt to intimidate” staff. The embassy explicitly stated that the second drone had a fake explosive device attached, though it added, “to this we will say directly – it will not work.”
Diplomatic friction and safety obligations
The Russian Embassy has leveraged the incident to rebuke the Swedish government for its handling of security for the diplomatic compound. The mission alleges that it has been the target of a “systematic” campaign of attacks over the past two years.
Under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, host nations are obligated to protect foreign missions on their soil. The Russian mission claimed that while Swedish police have logged “dozens” of incidents, they have failed to reach resolutions or progress in investigations.
“In light of this, it is the Swedish side that will bear the entire responsibility for any further attacks and their consequences,” the embassy warned in its statement.
Pattern of incidents at the Stockholm mission
The drone attack follows a series of security disruptions reported by the Russian Embassy since May 2024. Most of the recorded incidents have involved drones dropping paint-filled containers.
In May 2025, Maria Zakharova publicly criticized Swedish authorities, demanding that Stockholm “tame its ultras” and suggesting that local officials may have “authorized” the attacks.
The security situation has also involved physical incursions. In January 2025, Swedish police arrested a Ukrainian national after he rammed a vehicle into the embassy’s gates. At that time, Russian diplomats stated the individual was “well known” to both Swedish law enforcement and embassy staff due to prior sabotage activities. The embassy utilized that event to accuse local police of negligence.
As of Thursday, Swedish officials have not issued a formal response to the embassy’s allegations or the report of the drone activity.
