In evening of June 14 2024, Sweden recorded a violation of its airspace by a Russian Su-24 bomber.
This is stated in the press release of the Swedish Defense Forces.
According to the Swedish Armed Forces, a Russian Su-24 violated Swedish airspace east of the southern tip of the island of Gotland. The Swedish side sent a warning to the plane, but did not receive a response from the Russian aircraft.
After that, two Swedish Jas-39 Gripen fighters were raised to accompany the Su-24. The violation did not last long.
“Russia’s behavior is unacceptable and shows disrespect for our territorial integrity. We monitored the entire course of events and were on the spot to intervene,” said the commander of the Swedish Air Force, Jonas Vikman.
The last time such unauthorized flights were carried out by Russia was in 2022, when Russian Su-27 and Su-24 violated Swedish airspace – before the country became a member of NATO.
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström intends to summon the Russian ambassador.
According to the head of the Swedish Foreign Ministry the agency will contact the Russian embassy “to emphasize this incident.”
“We are in close contact with our allies and partners regarding developments near us,” Billström added.
Swedish Defense Minister Paul Jonsson also criticized Russia’s actions, calling them “unacceptable and unprofessional.”
This is the first such incident since 2022 and the first since Sweden joined NATO.
