According to information provided by the Swedish side on Saturday, two JAS 39 Gripen fighters were deployed. Their task was to intercept a pair of Russian combat machines moving over the Baltic Sea. Both events took place in the southern and northern parts of this reservoir.
The Swedish army's statement indicated that two NATO aircraft also participated in the operations. Their presence was intended, as the statement put it, to maintain safety in the common airspace. The military also noted that no violation of Sweden's air borders was reported in any of Friday's incidents.
Sweden picked up fighters. “Russian actions are serious”
The head of the operational command of the Swedish Armed Forces, Vice Admiral Ewa Skoog Haslum, commented on the situation. She emphasized that the activity of Russian aviation is not a one-off episode, but a recurring pattern of actions.
“Russian actions are serious and repeated, which threaten both our territorial integrity and our security,” emphasized Vice Admiral Skoog Haslum, quoted in the statement by the armed forces.
