Sweden intercepts two Russian fighter jets

The Swedish military announced today that its JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets intercepted two Russian Su-24 Fencer and Su-34 Fullback fighter jets over the Baltic Sea near Swedish airspace.

This occurred on two occasions on Friday over the southern and northern parts of the Baltic Sea, and Swedish airspace was not violated.

NATO aircraft also took off "to maintain security in the common airspace," the Swedish military said.

"Russia's actions are serious and represent a recurring pattern of behavior, threatening both our territorial integrity and our security," said Vice Admiral Eva Skog Haslum, Chief of Joint Operations of the Swedish Armed Forces.

Relations between Sweden and Russia are at an all-time low, largely marked by Sweden's entry into NATO and the rapid deterioration of security in the Baltic Sea region.

The Swedish Air Force often uses JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets to intercept Russian fighter jets – such as Su-24 and Su-34 bombers – flying close to Swedish airspace over the Baltic Sea.

The Swedish parliament's defense committee has previously warned that Russia could attempt a limited military attack in the "relatively near future" to test NATO's cohesion and collective defense obligation under Article 5.

High-stakes security cases are ongoing, including the case of a 34-year-old former member of the Swedish armed forces on charges of attempting to provide top-secret intelligence to security services in Moscow.

Sweden is actively advocating on the world stage for stricter EU maritime bans on Russian tankers from the "shadow fleet" that continuously sail past the Swedish coast to circumvent restrictions on oil deliveries.

Citing unpredictable changes in transatlantic partnerships and the threat along NATO's northern flank, Sweden is increasingly financing its overall defense system, aiming to reach defense spending of 3,5% of GDP by 2030.