Norway braces for rising threats from Russia and China by 2025
Norwegian intelligence services warn of the greatest threat from foreign countries in decades, identifying Russia and China as the main perpetrators.
Norwegian intelligence services report that the threat to the country's security from foreign nations will reach its highest level in decades by 2025. Russia and China have been identified as the primary agents of potential sabotage and subversive activities.
According to forecasts from the Norwegian intelligence agency, Russia will focus on acts of sabotage, attacks on civilian infrastructure, and inciting social unrest. Meanwhile, China is expected to concentrate on the cyber realm, making Norway particularly vulnerable to disruptions in telecommunication networks.
Vice Admiral Nils Andreas Stensoenes, head of the Norwegian Intelligence Service, emphasized that the Russian military intelligence GRU could be responsible for future attacks on infrastructure in Norway and Europe.
Stensoenes pointed out that the influence of foreign intelligence services will reach an unprecedented level in 2025.
Collaboration with local criminal groups
The report indicates that the Kremlin employs local criminal groups to carry out hostile acts in Scandinavia. This necessitates closer cooperation between Norwegian services and the police, who have more experience dealing with criminal networks.
Beate Gangaas, head of the Police Security Service PST, noted that Norway's democratic institutions and legal system are particularly vulnerable to Russian actions. Moscow aims to decrease public support for aid to Ukraine by supporting entities that advocate for a change in Norway's approach to Kyiv. Russia may use opinion makers, fake identities online, and well-known figures from the business and cultural worlds to influence election outcomes.
Gangaas stressed that their responsibility is to safeguard Norway's constitutional stability and security from foreign interference.
Chinese activity in the digital space
Norwegian services report that China will be particularly active in the digital space, focusing on acquiring data about Norwegians. These activities aim to convey beneficial content for Beijing through popular shopping platforms.
Norwegian services also warn of the threat from Islamic radicals and the far-right, who are said to target the youth. Both groups will use social media for recruitment, similar to what occurred with the attacks on Israeli institutions in Copenhagen and Stockholm in 2024.
