Sweden updates a Cold War-era pamphlet with advice on nuclear attacks

Sweden will issue an update to a Cold War-era emergency advisory booklet to reflect “today’s security reality” as Russia’s war in Ukraine approaches its third year.

The booklet will contain lessons from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 and advice on what to do in the event of a nuclear attack, Swedish Civil Protection Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin said during a news conference earlier this week.

“It is no secret that the security situation has deteriorated since the last brochure was published in 2018,” Bohlin said.

Bohlin added that the military threat against Sweden had increased since 2018, contributing to a complex web of potential attacks that included cyberattacks, influence attacks and sabotage.

The brochure notes Sweden’s formal entry into NATO in March this year, ending the country’s decades of post-World War II neutrality and centuries of extensive non-alignment.

The 31-page booklet provides practical advice on cyber and terrorist attacks, pandemics, environmental threats and conventional warfare. Advice is also given on self-defense, psychological defense, digital security and what to do in the event of an air raid.

A new entry explained how to stop a bleeding wound. An excerpt about possible nuclear attacks states: “In the event of an attack with nuclear, chemical or biological weapons, take cover in the same manner as you would in an air strike. Shelters offer the best solution.” After a few days, the radiation decreased significantly.”

The booklet was first published during World War II and was reissued in 2018 to address Stockholm’s concerns about a deteriorating security situation in the Baltic Sea region.

The first edition was titled “If War Comes” and the updated version was titled “If Crisis or War Comes.”

Ultimately, it is designed to give households “the knowledge they need to act quickly in a crisis situation,” Bohlin said.

Over 5 million copies of the updated version of the leaflet will be sent to households between November 18th and 29th, with the advice also available digitally.