Sweden's Largest Military Aid Package for Ukraine and Rising Tensions Over Russian Oil Exports
January 31, 2025
12:32 PM
Reading time: 4 minutes

Sweden has announced a record-breaking military aid package for Ukraine, valued at 13.5 billion kronor ($1.23 billion), marking its largest donation to date. The package includes critical equipment to support Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression, reinforcing Sweden's strong commitment to the Ukrainian cause.
As part of the aid, Sweden will provide 32 Stridsbåt 90 combat boats, doubling its initial donation from Swedish armed forces stocks. Other key items in the package include 1,500 TOW anti-tank missiles and 200 AT4 anti-tank weapons, which together represent about $294 million or 25% of the total aid.
Additionally, the Swedish government will allocate 5.9 billion kronor towards newly produced defense equipment, sourced from both Swedish and international manufacturers. This will cover essential needs such as artillery, long-range strike capabilities, and drones, with an emphasis on quick delivery times. The package also includes $71 million for repair and maintenance of previously donated equipment, reinforcing Sweden's long-term commitment to Ukraine’s military sustainability.
Sweden's total military aid to Ukraine now stands at approximately 61.9 billion kronor, making it one of the top contributors of military support globally. The latest donation further strengthens its position as the sixth-largest donor of military aid to Ukraine, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy’s Ukraine Support Tracker.
Beyond direct military support, Sweden will contribute about $250 million to various international funds and allocate $178 million for purchasing weapons from Ukraine’s own defense industry. Furthermore, Sweden plans to invest approximately 1 billion kronor in the production of Ukrainian long-range missiles and drones, aiming to increase Ukraine's capabilities for the ongoing conflict.
In parallel, tensions continue to rise in the energy sector, particularly concerning Russian oil exports. Ukraine recently launched an overnight drone attack on Russia’s Andreapol oil pumping station, located along the crucial Baltic Sea route through the port of Ust-Luga. This attack caused a halt in oil flows and hit a Russian missile storage facility, triggering a series of explosions. The move is part of Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to target Russian military and energy infrastructure as the war enters its third year.
Meanwhile, the impact of EU sanctions on Russian oil is becoming more evident. According to Finland’s Border Guard, Russia’s oil shipments via the Baltic Sea dropped by 10% in the final months of 2024, primarily due to the sanctions. Although Russia’s shadow fleet of older tankers is still operating, the decline in oil exports signals the effectiveness of the sanctions.
Sweden's aid package and the intensification of sanctions against Russian oil mark significant developments in the global response to the ongoing war in Ukraine, with military and energy-related strategies playing pivotal roles in shaping the conflict’s future.