Two Russian Tu-22M3 bombers were detected over the Baltic Sea on Monday morning and escorted by Swedish Jas 39 Gripen jets. The planes were identified northeast of Gotland and followed along the island. The incident is part of ongoing military activity in the region.
On Monday morning around 10 AM, two Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bombers were detected over the Baltic Sea by Swedish air surveillance. The planes, escorted by Russian fighter jets, were identified northeast of Gotland by two Jas 39 Gripen jets from Sweden's quick reaction alert force.
"We identified the planes northeast of Gotland and followed them along the island," said Lieutenant Colonel Robert Krznaric, the Swedish Air Force's operations chief, to Expressen. The route took them in via the Gulf of Finland, past between Sweden and the Baltics, south to the height of Bornholm, and then back to Russia.
The Air Force states that the purpose of the scramble is to show presence and ensure no violation of Swedish airspace. The Tu-22M3 bombers can carry both conventional and nuclear weapons and are often used for patrols over the Baltic Sea. Similar incidents have occurred before, including in November last year and earlier this year.
"We have a better situational picture today now that we are in NATO," Krznaric noted regarding improved early warning. The Russian planes' departure base is not disclosed, though Olenya airbase on the Kola Peninsula has been mentioned in prior cases.
