Ukraine
Stolen Swedish Traffic Cameras Land in Ukraine…
The result of a desperate technology shortage
Russia is suffering a huge hit in access to advanced technology since Ukraine War sanctions started to bite.
They’ve been cannibalising washing machines for ICs to use in their precision missiles and other weapons systems; they’ve turned to Iran and North Korea for chips but even those heavily sanctioned countries can’t supply enough technology.
But now it’s gone a step further.
Picture it
A deserted rural road in Sweden at 3 a.m. when only the elks are about. Some are drunk.
Speed limits vary on rural roads, between 70–90 k.p.h, and Sweden has installed some 2,300 traffic cameras across the country to deter speeding.
The cameras are high quality, mostly of the Canon brand.
But besides the elks, there are thieves about at that time of night, and they’re stealing the cameras.
Captain Gatso
Now, vandalism of speed cameras was once a sport in the UK. ‘Gatsos’ as they are called after the name of one particular Dutch manufacturer (Gatsometer BV) were fair game and there was a semi-organised campaign to cut them down using angle grinders or simply blind them with dustbin liners or paint. Or worse…
The tag ‘Captain Gatso’ was used by the vandals.
Back in Sweden
Since the end of August 2022, there have been over a hundred reported instances of stolen traffic cameras.
The Swedish police confirm the camera thefts and say they are investigating them. “We are aware of rumors that the equipment is being used in Russian home-built drones, but cannot go into detail about our intelligence work,” a spokesman for the Swedish national security service Säpo told the newspaper Aftonbladet.
But it’s not the Swedish equivalent of the UK’s Captain Gatso campaign.
This series of insidious crimes has Putin’s fingerprints all over them.
Swedish speed cameras in Russian Drones
The Ukraine government has published details of the discovery of these Swedish traffic cameras in downed Russian Orlan-10 drones.
It seems that the specific Canon cameras were strapped in using Velcro. Isn’t the export of Velcro embargoed yet?
Representatives of the Swedish Security Police (Säpo) said they are aware of the connection between the drones of the Russians with the theft of cameras. However, according to spokesman Fredrik Hultgren-Friberg, law enforcement officials will not talk about their intelligence work and share details — Ukraine Telegram
It’s a good story, but I’ve not been able to verify it. Yet…
Nevertheless, it seems to me to be entirely credible.
A year ago, what writer would have been crazy enough to predict the world as it is today?
Desperate people do desperate things, and that’s a worry.
Now a lot of Swedish drivers are getting away with breaking speed limits. Something needs to be done. NATO where are you?
And don’t forget the Velcro.
P.s those drunken elks should be breathalysed.
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…speed limits
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