Russian bomber violates airspace, says Sweden’s military
- The incident occurred three months after Sweden became a full member of Nato, the historic decision made following Moscow’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine
A Russian SU-24 bomber violated Swedish airspace near the strategic Baltic Sea island of Gotland, leaving only after Sweden scrambled a JAS-39 fighter jet, Sweden’s military said on Saturday.
The incident on Friday occurred three months after the Scandinavian country became a full member of Nato, dropping two centuries of military non-alliance.
“On Friday afternoon, a Russian SU-24 jet fighter violated Swedish airspace east of Gotland’s southern tip. The Swedish air combat command warned the Russian aircraft with a verbal call,” the Swedish armed forces said.
“When this was not heeded and the aircraft did not deviate from its route, it was dismissed from Swedish airspace by a rote JAS-39 Gripen,” it said.
The violation was “brief”, the military said.
“The Russian actions are not acceptable and demonstrate a lack of respect for our territorial integrity,” the head of Sweden’s air force, Jonas Wikman, said.
