On 13 June, the Swedish military scrambled JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets on two occasions to intercept Russian military aircraft near the country’s airspace over the Baltic Sea, according to a statement from the Swedish Armed Forces’ press office.
The incidents occurred in the southern and northern parts of the Baltic Sea. To identify the targets and monitor the situation, the Swedish military scrambled two pairs of Gripen fighter jets.
According to the Swedish side, the aircraft involved were Russian Su-24 and Su-34s. No violations of Swedish airspace were recorded.
NATO allies’ fighter jets also took part in the interception, acting to ensure the security of the shared airspace.
“Russia’s behaviour is serious and follows a recurring pattern of actions that pose a threat to both our territorial integrity and our security. Swedish and allied aircraft acted swiftly, decisively and decisively, intercepting the Russian aircraft and ensuring the security of Swedish and Alliance territory,” said Vice Admiral Eva Skog Gasslum.
The Swedish Armed Forces added that “due to the growing threats to the Allies’ airspace in the region, they have strengthened their presence and adjusted their level of combat readiness.”
Earlier, on 7 June, it emerged that NATO’s land forces had launched operations aimed at strengthening the defences of the Alliance’s two new members – Finland and Sweden.
“The area surrounding these two countries, which form part of NATO’s north-eastern flank, is one of the most strategically important and security-challenging regions in the world,” said Alexus Grinkevich, Commander of NATO’s Allied Command Operations in Europe.
In 2024, the Alliance decided to establish a new multinational unit – the Forward Land Forces Finland (FLF) – which is to serve as a rapid reaction force. The unit officially began operations on Saturday. It also includes a Swedish battle group.
Similar multinational NATO land formations are already deployed in Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.
Finland and Sweden are situated along the Baltic Sea, through which an important maritime route runs between the Russian ports of St Petersburg and Kaliningrad.