Four Russian fighter jets briefly violated Swedish territory over Baltic Sea, the Swedish armed forces announced on Wednesday, prompting swift condemnation from defense minister.
Two Russian Su-27 and two Su-24 fighter jets briefly entered Swedish airspace to the east of the swedish island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea, according to the Swedish Armed Forces in a statement, adding that Swedish JAS 39 Gripen jets were dispatched to document the breach.
“The Russian Violation of Swedish airspace is of of course totally unacceptable,” Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist said. news TT agency. “It will be lead to a firm diplomatic response from Sweden. Swedish sovereignty and territory must always be respected.”
The Swedish Armed Forces said the situation was under control and the incident showed that preparedness was good.
“This is an unprofessional and irresponsible action. on the part of Russia”, declared the head of the army of theair Carl-Johan Edstrom.
Sweden and neighboring Finland are not members of NATO but are close partners of the military Alliance.
Both countries held a joint military exercise in the baltic sea on Wednesday against the backdrop of the war in The Ukraine that put Europe on edge. According to Sweden, fighter jets and warships were involved in exercise.
Sweden said on Sunday it would send military aid, including 5,000 anti-tank weapons to Ukraine, the first times since 1939 that Sweden has sent arms to a country at war.
