An AN-30 propeller aircraft temporarily violated Swedish airspace on Friday evening, the Swedish Army General Staff said on Saturday. She was observed and photographed by the Swedish side.
The Ministry of Defense in Stockholm condemned the incident as “completely unacceptable”. In view of the “general security situation” in particular, the airspace violation was “very inappropriate”. “Sweden’s sovereignty must always be respected,” said Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist, according to SVT television. Sweden will protest through diplomatic channels.
threatening gesture by Putin
The incident came at a time when Sweden, like Finland, is discussing joining NATO in the face of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. According to Swedish media reports, both countries could submit their application for NATO membership as early as mid-May. The heads of state and government of the 30 NATO countries could then theoretically discuss this at their summit in Madrid at the end of June.
Russia had repeatedly warned Finland and Sweden about the “consequences” of joining NATO. In both countries, public approval of this had increased significantly with the Ukraine war.