The Swedish government has denounced the violation of its airspace for a couple of minutes by a Russian fighter whose pilot initially did not heed the warnings of the planes deployed to intercept him. “This Russian action is unacceptable and unprofessional,” Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson denounced in a statement published on his X account.
The head of the Swedish Air Force Jonas Wikman confirmed that the Russian plane, identified as an Su-24, entered “five kilometers into Swedish airspace for two minutes” over the eastern part of the southern Swedish island of Gotland.
“Having not heeded the initial warnings and having not deviated from its route, the aircraft was ejected from Swedish airspace by two JAS-39 Gripens,” adds the military official. “This behavior is unacceptable, regardless of whether it is intentional or not. It demonstrates a lack of respect for our territorial integrity,” Wikman complained in statements reported by the Swedish newspaper “Aftonbladet”. The Russian Defense Ministry has not yet commented.
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom announced that Russian diplomats will be summoned to the ministry: “We are in close contact with allies and partners about what happened in the area in our immediate vicinity,” he added.
