Drone Drenches Russian Villa in Sweden as Moscow Blames Stockholm

A drone flew over the Russian trade delegation’s villa on the island of Lidingö early Saturday and dumped paint and an unidentified sticky substance onto the property, marking the latest in a growing string of similar attacks on Russian diplomatic sites in Sweden, as reported by The Hill.

According to Stockholm regional police spokesperson Ola Österling, staff at the villa spotted the drone around 5:30 a.m. before it released a container filled with paint and an unknown substance that splattered across the building. Police later collected samples for analysis and launched an investigation into vandalism and harassment.

No injuries were reported, and the villa did not need to be evacuated. Officers interviewed witnesses but did not see the drone themselves. The investigation remains open, and so far, authorities have not identified the perpetrators.

Over Two Dozen Drone Attacks Since 2024

The Russian Embassy in Sweden confirmed the incident in a statement on Telegram, calling it “another drone attack” and noting that the total number of similar incidents has now exceeded two dozen since May 2024. Obviously, they have no real clue of how a drone attack looked like. Or maybe they just don’t remember it.

“Early in the morning of November 8, another drone dropped paint on the grounds of the Russian Trade Mission in Stockholm. Since May 2024, the number of similar incidents involving the Russian Embassy and Trade Mission has now exceeded two dozen. Comments, as they say, are unnecessary,” the embassy said.

Russian state news agency Tass reported that at least 15 of these attacks have involved glass containers filled with paint, causing minor property damage and posing potential safety risks.

The embassy added that police have been notified after every incident, and multiple diplomatic notes have been sent to Sweden’s Foreign Ministry. However, none of the suspects have been identified or apprehended. If you asked me, I also would be way too busy on many activities to investigate this really minor unimportant business.

Moscow Accuses Sweden of Inaction

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused Swedish authorities of failing to protect diplomatic missions, claiming the attacks were carried out “with the full connivance of Swedish authorities.” She argued that Sweden “grossly violates” the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and “appears incapable of enforcing domestic legislation.”

The Russian Embassy said it has increased its own security measures but admitted that its “capabilities are limited.” Meanwhile, Swedish police maintain that they are investigating the incidents as acts of vandalism and have not confirmed any political motive.

Drone Incidents Reflect Rising Tensions

Lidingö island, where the villa is located, is home to several foreign embassies and diplomatic residences. The area has seen multiple paint-based drone attacks over the past year, all targeting Russian facilities. These incidents have taken place amid heightened tensions between Moscow and European nations since the invasion of Ukraine.

While the paint-dropping drones have caused no serious harm, the attacks symbolize growing public hostility toward Russian state institutions abroad. For Sweden, which joined NATO earlier this year, the pattern of drone harassment also poses new security and diplomatic challenges.

DroneXL’s Take

This isn’t your average graffiti protest — it’s part of a strange new trend where drones have become flying messengers of political discontent. From paint bombs to symbolic stunts, these attacks blur the line between civil demonstration and airspace intrusion.

The drones used here certainly mastered the art of making a diplomatic splash. Beyond the paint and sticky residue lies a serious issue: drone misuse around sensitive sites is climbing fast. Whether driven by activism, mischief, or something darker, it’s a reminder that modern airspace needs more than just flight paths — it needs accountability.

Photo credit: Lars Mæhlum, Wikipedia