Swedish Top Gun fighter jets were scrambled to intercept a Russian bomber after it violated Sweden’s airspace on Friday.
The two Gripen jets launched into action near the Baltic Island of Gotland when the SU-24 tactical bomber failed to respond to a radio warning by military air traffic controllers.
Sweden’s air force chief Jonas Wikman said: “Russia's behavior is unacceptable and shows disrespect for our territorial integrity. We have been following the whole course of events and were on the spot to intervene.”
Foreign Minister Tobias Billstom added that the incursion was “unacceptable” and that Russian embassy officials would be summoned to his ministry.
The last time a similar Russian violation took place in Swedish airspace was in 2022 when two SU-27 and two SU-24 planes were spotted near Gotland, before Sweden had joined NATO.
Sweden’s air force chief Jonas Wikman said: “Russia's behavior is unacceptable and shows disrespect for our territorial integrity. We have been following the whole course of events and were on the spot to intervene.”
Foreign Minister Tobias Billstom added that the incursion was “unacceptable” and that Russian embassy officials would be summoned to his ministry.
The last time a similar Russian violation took place in Swedish airspace was in 2022 when two SU-27 and two SU-24 planes were spotted near Gotland, before Sweden had joined NATO.
Source: reuters
