THREE Russian military planes have violated Swedish airspace as President Vladimir Putin sends a chilling message to NATO in the latest threat to regional security.
The event in Sweden coincided with a Russian exercise in Kaliningrad running until June 18.
The airspace breach came on Thursday morning according to reports as Russian surveillance aircraft became interested in the Swedish drills.
Russia deployed an Ilyushin Il-20 spy plane, accompanied by two Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jets.
The three Russian planes then probably went down at low altitude over the USS Kearsarge to probably be able to photograph the American ship, according to DN's source.
The three planes, on several occasions, entered the northern part of Visby terminal area where all aircraft must report their arrival, among other things to avoid accidents with other traffic.
A rule that applies to all commercial aircraft and military aircraft.
According to Swedish sources, the Russian aircraft failed to perform the required safety transmissions.
The Russian military aircraft also lacked a transponder signal and therefore was not visible on the civilian radar used by Visby Airport.
The lack of a signal meant the aircraft could not be observed or contacted by local air traffic control.
This meant civil aviation in the area could not be noticed by the Russians' approach in the area and thus exposed multiple aircraft to a collision danger.
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Visby terminal area, or Visby TMA, extends north from Visby airport halfway up to the Stockholm area.
The northern and western parts of the area, where the Russian planes were stationed, start at 1,300 meters and extend to 2,900 meters.
The three Russian planes started the flight at a higher altitude but then went down to a much lower altitude, apparently to approach the American ship.
Such breaches are common, yet have become more worrying since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Furthermore, Sweden's application to join NATO has added tension between Stockholm and Moscow, with Putin warning of the consequences of the move.
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Swedish Armed Forces confirmed Russian planes were in the air in connection with the exercise and that Swedish aircraft intercepted and followed the aircraft.
Press secretary of the Swedish armed forces Erik Karlsson said: “We can only confirm that the Russian planes remained outside Sweden's territorial border and that it was not a violation.”
Mr Karlsson also says that the Armed Forces had Swedish aircraft in the air to follow the Russian planes.
For more stories like this, follow Defence and Secuirty Correspondent James Lee on Twitter: @JamesLee_DE
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk last month, Zsofia Wolford, a Europe and Eurasia analyst at risk intelligence firm Sibylline, said Putin may be planning a two-pronged approach to how Russia deals with the consequences of Finland and Sweden joining the bloc.
In terms of an immediate Russian response, Ms Wolford said: “We may see some military escalation between the parties, but will probably see more airspace violations as Russian aircraft spread out across the region.
“Russia has already on several occasions breached airspace in the area, and this could escalate in frequency as Russian aircraft manoeuvre in response.”
She added: “I think Russia will also increase their naval capacity in the Baltic Sea, posturing assets in the area, and increasing the presence of amphibious assault ships in the region.”
https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1623950/Russian-plane-Sweden-airspace-fighter-jet-reconnaissance-aircraft-Putin-NATO-threat-ww3
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