This Monday, the Swedish government began distributing a new pamphlet to millions of its citizens, telling them how to prepare for a sudden and unexpected war. This guide, called “In Case of Crisis of War,” is an updated version of a similar booklet first issued six years ago. But things have changed dramatically since then.
Sweden is now a member of NATO, and the world is on edge with the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Swedish government’s new survival guide reflects these changes. With tensions between Russia and NATO countries, especially after reports that the U.S. has given Ukraine permission to launch long-range missile strikes on Russian soil, Sweden is taking no chances.
The pamphlet is twice as long as the previous one and includes detailed instructions on what citizens should do if a war breaks out. It talks about how to survive in a worst-case scenario, like a foreign invasion or when basic services (like water, electricity, and food supply) might suddenly stop. The booklet encourages people to be prepared to survive for several days, or even a week, without external help.
For many Swedes, this pamphlet isn’t a new idea. The country has had some form of survival guide since World War II, and it was updated during the Cold War. But now, with the ongoing war in Eastern Europe and Sweden’s newfound role in NATO, the stakes feel much higher.
The most important message in the booklet is clear: if Sweden is attacked, the country will fight back, no matter what. The booklet firmly rejects any idea that Sweden would surrender or give up. It also warns of various threats, including terrorism, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns, which could undermine the country’s safety and democracy.
In the booklet’s introduction, it states: “We live in uncertain times. Armed conflicts are being waged in our corner of the world. Terrorism, cyber-attacks, and disinformation campaigns are being used to undermine and influence us.” The pamphlet stresses the importance of unity and resilience. Everyone, it says, must do their part to protect the country and its democratic values.
One major part of the guide focuses on collective efforts. Citizens are encouraged to come together to form volunteer defense units, help each other, and even contribute by donating blood or offering classes on CPR and basic survival skills. It’s a call for everyone to be part of the country’s emergency preparedness.
Neighboring Finland, which also shares a border with Russia, has issued its own version of a survival guide. Finland’s guide has been updated to reflect its own fears of potential war. Both Sweden and Finland are now preparing their populations for every worst-case scenario, from cyberattacks to large-scale invasions.
One young Finnish student, Melissa Eve Ajosmaki, told the BBC: “Now I feel less worried, but I still have the thought at the back of my head on what I should do if there was a war. Especially as I have my family back in Finland.”
These guidelines from Sweden and Finland reflect the growing anxiety in the region, where the shadow of war is never far away. As the world watches the war in Ukraine unfold, countries like Sweden and Finland are preparing their citizens for the unthinkable: what to do if the war comes to their doorstep. The message is clear—being prepared could mean the difference between survival and disaster.
