Ukrainian Man Arrested After Ramming Car into Russian Embassy in Stockholm

The suspect was apprehended by Swedish authorities; the embassy sustained minimal damage.

A 45-year-old Ukrainian citizen was arrested by Swedish police after attempting to breach the Russian Embassy in Stockholm with his vehicle. The embassy reported the incident, specifying that the attempt caused no significant damage.

The incident occurred Tuesday morning when the individual tried to drive through the embassy gates. Police quickly detained him.

While the embassy confirmed the lack of serious damage or injuries, it criticized the police for apparent negligence in failing to prevent the incident. The embassy highlighted that the perpetrator was known to both the embassy and local police.

The embassy statement indicated the suspect had previously targeted Russian diplomatic properties in Sweden (in 2015 and 2018), and was subsequently deemed unfit for trial and received treatment. 

The statement further noted the suspect resumed his activities, and the police’s inaction led to the recent incident.

Swedish police confirmed the event. Expressen newspaper reported the investigation focuses on attempted aggravated trespassing; officials declined to comment on the suspect’s nationality.

In November, a drone dropped paint on the embassy. Russian diplomats reported at least ten similar vandalism incidents against their embassy in 2024 alone.

Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, Russian diplomatic missions have faced repeated harassment and attacks, including vandalism such as egg-throwing and graffiti.

The 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations mandates the host country’s responsibility to safeguard diplomatic premises from intrusion and violence.