Swedish and Finnish jets intercept Russian fighters over Baltic Sea
8:42 AM EDT, July 18, 2024
After two Russian fighter jets took off from the Kaliningrad region and operated in international airspace without a flight plan, Finnish F/A-18 Hornets and Swedish JAS-39 Gripens were scrambled. The STT agency reported the incident on Wednesday.
According to reports, the Russian fighter jet pilots were heading toward their territory but did not establish contact with civil air traffic control.
The Swedish-Finnish operation was carried out on Monday
The joint Swedish-Finnish operation escorting the Russian fighters out of the Baltic Sea took place on Monday. It was conducted as part of Quick Reaction Alert actions.
As confirmed by NATO, the presence of Russian fighter jets flying over international waters was reported by the allied base in Uedem, Germany, as well as by the Finns and Swedes.
Finland joined NATO in the spring of 2023 and Sweden in March 2024. The air forces of both countries are responsible for monitoring their airspaces, which are now part of NATO's joint airspace. The Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC), located in Germany, ensures coordination of activities and is responsible for the supervision mission in Northern Europe.
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