Google Maps of Europe. Right in the middle: the Baltic Sea with Gotland.Image: Screenshot: Google Maps
NATO is arming itself in the middle of the Baltic Sea. The island of Gotland is intended to deter Russia – and in an emergency could decide the possible outcome of the war.
June 1, 2026, 10:49 p.mJune 1, 2026, 10:49 p.m
Tobias Schibilla / t-online
The island of Gotland seems idyllic at first glance. Medieval streets and long, flat stretches of coast characterize the landscape of the island. But from NATO’s perspective, Gotland has become a strategic hotspot in the Baltic Sea – also because the island is only 300 kilometers from the heavily militarized Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. That’s why Sweden, to which Gotland belongs, has been developing the island for years with the help of NATO allies into a military bastion that should be able to withstand a possible Russian attack.
On Gotland, however, it is no longer just about protection against classic military attacks. Authorities and security services have been monitoring a number of suspected hybrid threats for months: damage to critical infrastructure, a damaged submarine cable and the disruption of radio communications, which temporarily brought both air traffic and the work of emergency services to a standstill.
A large-scale NATO maneuver last week showed how seriously NATO views the situation. Around 18,000 soldiers from 13 countries trained together on Gotland to defend themselves against a possible attack. It was the first NATO exercise of this size on the island since Sweden joined the military alliance in 2024.
Sweden expands Gotland into a fortress
In an interview with Politico magazine, Swedish military expert Niklas Granholm explains Gotland as a strategic pivotal point in the defense of the Baltic Sea. Fighter aircraft could reach any capital in the Baltics from Gotland within minutes. At the same time, important sea routes could be monitored through which NATO states would bring reinforcements and supplies to the region in the event of a crisis.
From the alliance’s perspective, this results in a clear scenario: If Russia takes control of the island and stations air defense systems there, NATO would have a much harder time supporting its Baltic members by air and sea in the event of an attack by Russia. If NATO holds Gotland, it can significantly restrict the Russian Navy’s freedom of movement in the Baltic Sea.
That’s why Sweden is expanding the island into a fortress. After the end of the Cold War, the military presence on Gotland was greatly reduced. However, since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Swedish government has reversed this step. More than 200 million euros have already flowed into new infrastructure, reports Politico. The army reactivated anti-aircraft positions and established a tank regiment on Gotland.
Iris-T systems are to come to Gotland
According to Politico, the commander of the Gotland Regiment, Andreas Gustafsson, announced on the sidelines of the NATO maneuver that he would further increase troop numbers. Additional forces are expected to be added to the approximately 4,500 soldiers currently on the island within a year. Additional artillery systems with greater range are also on the armed forces’ wish list. From 2028, modern Iris-T air defense systems will also be stationed on Gotland.
On Gotland, however, it is no longer just about protection against classic military attacks. Authorities and security services have been monitoring a number of suspected hybrid threats for months: damage to critical infrastructure, a damaged submarine cable and the disruption of radio communications, which temporarily brought both air traffic and the work of emergency services to a standstill.
Swedish Chief of General Staff Michael Claesson sees this as a well-known pattern of Russian influence. The aim of the maneuver was therefore to identify weak points and close them, writes “Politico”. Sweden wants to prevent Gotland from quickly falling into Russian hands in the event of an attack.