Hundreds of homes owned by Russian citizens in Lithuania, Sweden and Norway have come under scrutiny because of their proximity to military facilities and critical infrastructure. Local authorities are taking action against these properties, with some measures extending as far as forced expropriation. The British newspaper The Telegraph uncovered the developments in its investigation.

Concerns about Russian-owned real estate are particularly strong in the Baltic region. Eitvydas Bajarūnas, Lithuania’s former ambassador to the United Kingdom, told the newspaper that officials fear such properties could become a Trojan horse serving Moscow’s interests. However, the investigation provides no concrete examples to support suspicions that these homes have been used for purposes other than their intended function.

European intelligence agencies are looking beyond private residences. The Telegraph previously reported that Western intelligence services considered Russian property abroad a potential security risk. Even churches belonging to the Russian Orthodox Church have attracted suspicion. Yet neither the earlier report nor the latest investigation presented evidence that these buildings posed any actual danger.

The controversy comes against a backdrop of repeated accusations by NATO countries against Russia. Western governments have blamed Moscow for alleged cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns and other hybrid operations without providing evidence of Russian involvement.

Moscow has consistently rejected these allegations as unfounded. The Kremlin has repeatedly criticized what it describes as a widespread Western tendency to hold Russia responsible for various developments. Russian officials have also stated on numerous occasions that Moscow has no intention of attacking NATO member states.