The Shocking Reason Sweden and Finland Are Telling You to Prepare for War!

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues, Sweden and Finland are urging their citizens to brace for the possibility of war. The ongoing conflict has led both nations to reissue important survival guides, reminding their populations of the urgent need to be prepared for national emergencies.

Sweden took action this Monday by releasing the latest edition of its crisis preparedness pamphlet, “In Case of Crisis or War.” First distributed in 2018, the pamphlet was updated and is now 32 pages long—double the size of its previous version. The Swedish government emphasized that this guide is a crucial tool to help citizens navigate crises, particularly as the situation in Ukraine worsens.

“The security situation is serious, and we all need to strengthen our resilience to face various crises and ultimately war,” said Mikael Frisell, director of the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency. This pamphlet, which has been distributed five times since World War II, will be sent out to approximately 5.2 million households in the next two weeks. Available in multiple languages online, it urges people to prepare essential supplies such as food, baby products, medicine, and hygiene items to survive a crisis.

Finland, Sweden’s neighbor, is also ramping up its efforts to ensure its people are ready for any potential national crisis. Finland has launched its own online crisis preparedness guide, which outlines how the Finnish government would respond in the event of war. A recent survey in September revealed that only 58% of Finns have enough emergency supplies at home, signaling a need for greater awareness and action.

Meanwhile, Norway has taken similar steps, distributing its own crisis pamphlet earlier this year. The Norwegian government sent out 2.2 million paper copies to households, advising citizens on how to manage for a week without outside assistance in times of crisis, including during wartime.

The heightened focus on civilian preparedness in Sweden and Finland follows their recent decisions to join NATO. For years, both nations maintained neutral stances, but Russia’s aggressive actions in Ukraine prompted them to rethink their security strategies. The fear of further territorial expansion by Russia in Eastern Europe drove Sweden and Finland to seek NATO membership.

As the war in Ukraine drags on, Russia currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory, and Moscow’s slow but steady advances continue to put pressure on Ukraine’s defenses. The situation remains tense, and both Sweden and Finland are prioritizing the protection and readiness of their citizens.

In a time of uncertainty, Sweden and Finland’s crisis preparedness efforts serve as a stark reminder of the global implications of the Ukraine war. As neighboring countries brace for potential conflict, the need for civilian readiness has never been more pressing.