Sweden claimed to have suffered a series of camera thefts recently. But not just any cameras, since these are the devices inserted in the automatic speed cameras in charge of checking the speed on the country’s roads. Involvement of the Russians is a non-negligible probability according to Sweden.
This is a practice that Sweden is not used to. Damage to speed cameras is rare in this country, so when 150 of them are targeted in two months it does not go unnoticed. Direct consequence, the financial loss: a camera replacement costs around € 22,900. This figure, multiplied by the number of damaged radars, rises at a dizzying speed.
But one detail quickly caught the attention of investigators. If, in fact, the cameras disappear, it is not the case of other components of great technological value such as the processor or even the radar sensor. Thieves only target cameras, without even worrying about the rest. The reason for these thefts is therefore highly questionable. Money doesn’t seem to be the main motivation. So why steal these cameras?
Russia guilty?
The experts who have studied the matter point the finger at the Russians. A reporter from New York Times She said : “You don’t do this kind of big systematic theft unless someone orders the products.”. That someone could therefore be Russia, which has suffered economic and technological sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine.
Some specialists believe that these Nikon brand cameras could be connected to military equipment such as drones. For its part, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said drones hastily put together with Canon cameras took part in the attacks on the country.
That said, Sweden says they don’t want to jump to conclusions. On the one hand because these cameras can only focus on elements located fifteen meters away, and on the other hand because no evidence of Russian involvement has been provided. A police spokesperson said: “There is a lot of speculation going on. We don’t want to speculate on the reasons. We are conducting a preliminary investigation and we will see what it is “. We will therefore have to wait to find out whether the Russians are involved in this affair or not.
