Swedish airspace violated by Russian military jet on Friday, armed forces say

15/6/2024 18:30

        A Russian military aircraft was met by Swedish fighter jets after it briefly violated Sweden's airspace east of the Baltic island of Gotland on Friday, the Nordic country's armed forces said on Saturday.
        
        The Swedish armed forces said in a statement, two Gripen jets were sent up to meet the Russian plane, an SU-24, after it failed to respond to a radio warning by Sweden's military air traffic control.
        
        Swedish air force chief Jonas Wikman said, "The Russian actions are not acceptable and show a lack of respect for our territorial integrity. We followed the entire chain of events and were in place to intervene."
        
        Friday's incident took place as Sweden - NATO's newest member - and several of its new allies take part in naval exercises in the Baltic Sea.
        
        The Swedish military said similar airspace violations by Russian aircraft last occurred in 2022 when two SU-27 and two SU-24 planes also made incursions near Gotland.
        
        Sweden's neighbour Finland said separately on Friday it suspected that four Russian military planes had violated its airspace on June 10.