Sweden Revives Large-Scale Civilian Evacuation Drills Amid Rising Security Threats

Sweden is resuming large-scale civilian evacuation exercises this autumn as part of its renewed war preparedness efforts, prompted by increasing security threats such as Russian attacks on civilian targets. The first drill will take place on Gotland, involving up to 300 volunteer participants, marking a significant return to Cold War-era civil defense practices.

The exercises aim to test and enhance the authorities' ability to rapidly relocate civilians in the event of a wartime scenario. Participants will be evacuated by local buses, simulating a mass evacuation under emergency conditions. Mikael Frisell, director-general of the Swedish Civil Defense Agency (MCF), highlighted the growing necessity of such preparedness given the threat of long-range attacks by hostile forces.

Alf Söderman, defense director at the Gotland County Administrative Board, emphasized that this exercise sends a clear message internationally about Sweden's capability to manage wartime emergencies effectively.

Historically, large-scale evacuation drills were regularly conducted in Sweden during the 1950s and 1960s. The largest exercise recorded took place in Stockholm in 1961 and involved approximately 30,000 participants. Since then, no comparable drills have been organized until this renewed initiative.

Looking ahead, the Swedish Civil Defense Agency is also planning an even larger evacuation exercise in northern Sweden next year, signaling a broader national commitment to civil preparedness amid evolving security challenges. These developments reflect Sweden's response to contemporary threats, including indiscriminate attacks by Russia on civilian infrastructure, which have intensified concerns over civilian safety.

The autumn exercise on Gotland represents the first major civilian evacuation drill in decades and a critical step in reviving comprehensive civil defense capabilities. It underscores Sweden's focus on ensuring its population is prepared in the face of modern warfare risks.