Russian military aircraft violated Sweden's state border

Photo: Russian Su-24 attack aircraft

The Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Russian Ambassador to Stockholm, Viktor Tatarintsev, due to violation of the state border by a Russian military aircraft. This is stated on the department's website. This is the first such incident since Sweden joined NATO, which occurred on June 14. As the Swedish army reported, a Russian Su-24 bomber violated the airspace east of the Baltic island of Gotland. Two fighters were sent to intercept it. The Air Force commander called the situation a “demonstration of disrespect for the territorial integrity of the country.”

A few days earlier, a similar incident with a Russian military aircraft was reported by the Finnish Ministry of Defense. On June 10, the department said, a Russian plane allegedly violated the border in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland.

This incident also occurred for the first time since Finland joined NATO. Sweden and Finland joined the Alliance after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Before this, they adhered to a policy of neutrality — more than 200 and 77 years, respectively.

BAGNET notes, Su-24 – a front-line bomber capable of carrying anti-ship missiles, glide bombs and tactical nuclear weapons. The aircraft is actively used by Russia during the invasion of Ukraine and by the Ukrainian army.

Prepared by: Sergey Daga