Russian bombers prompt swift NATO air response over Baltic
The Swedish armed forces identified Russian Tu-22 bombers over the Baltic Sea, escorted by Su-27 fighters. NATO reacted immediately.
The Swedish Air Force responded to the presence of Russian Tu-22 bombers, which appeared over the Baltic Sea, escorted by two Su-27 aircraft. In response, Sweden scrambled two JAS Gripen fighters. "There was no violation of Swedish airspace," emphasised the spokesperson for the Swedish Air Force, Therese Åkerstedt.
NATO on alert
The Russian aircraft were monitored by NATO allies before they entered international airspace east of Gotland. In the Gulf of Finland, they were intercepted by Finnish F-18s and then tracked by a Dutch F-35, which participated in the NATO Air Policing mission.
The cooperation among NATO countries enabled a seamless transition of the task to fighters from different nations. Photo documentation of the intervention was published on the Försvarsmakten website, confirming the alliance's commitment and effectiveness in the Baltic region.
