Sweden’s armed forces sent fighter jets on two occasions to identify and monitor Russian military aircraft operating over the Baltic Sea, according to local media.
The Swedish Air Force launched two missions involving JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets after detecting Russian aircraft near Swedish airspace in the northern and southern Baltic Seas.
Hanna Heurlin, a spokeswoman for the Swedish Armed Forces, said the planes were intercepted and monitored as part of routine Swedish air police operations.
“We are constantly monitoring our airspace and the surrounding area,” she said.
According to the military, Swedish airspace was not violated during either incident.
The Gripen aircraft reportedly identified the Russian aircraft and followed them until they were deemed to be at a sufficient distance.
The Russian plane then headed towards what Swedish authorities believe was Kaliningrad, Russia’s Baltic Sea enclave.
In the southern Baltic Sea operation, Danish fighter jets also participated as part of NATO’s collective air defense activities.
“The operation is being carried out in a coordinated and determined manner to secure alliance territory,” Heurlin said.
She declined to speculate on the purpose of the Russian flights, but described the incidents as serious.