Finland and Sweden jointly intercept Russian aircraft over Baltic Sea
Photo: Sweden and Finland intercepted Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea (mynewsdesk.com)
Russian fighter jets were provoking NATO forces in the Gulf of Finland. However, Sweden and Finland intercepted the Russian aircraft, Reuters reports.
Joint operation by Sweden and Finland
Finland and Sweden said on September 25 that they scrambled fighter jets to intercept Russian military aircraft in international airspace over the Gulf of Finland.
The operation was the first joint mission of its kind for the two Scandinavian countries, the outlet noted.
According to the Finnish Air Force, aircraft from the two countries tracked and identified a group of Russian aircraft, including a transport plane and several fighter jets.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said the operation took place on Thursday and demonstrated "Quick Reaction Alert cooperation." Such coordinated action can help protect the airspace of both countries.
"It is a concrete expression of the readiness and trust we have built together – and an expression of the strength in the Nordic, Nordic-Baltic, and broader NATO cooperation in our part of the world," Kristersson said.
He also said the Baltic Sea has never been as vulnerable as it is now. However, he noted that it has a high level of protection.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that on January 22, Sweden's Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) forces intercepted two Russian fighter jets over the Baltic Sea.
In addition, QRA conducted two separate missions involving JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets in June. They intercepted Russian military aircraft over the Baltic Sea near Swedish airspace.
