Swedish incident flight was sent up against Russian bombers – Aftonbladet

The Russian bombers flew to the southern tip of Öland – and accompanied by fighter aircraft from several nations.

The Swedish incident preparedness sent up two JAS Gripen to ward off the field of type TU -22 “Backfire”.

– They fly the provocative close, says Commander Sverker Goranson.

The Russian bombers, two to number, flew in the direction of the Gulf of Finland and approached Swedish airspace at noon today.

– They went down and turned at the southern tip of Öland in international airspace, says Jeper Tengroth, press secretary at the Swedish Armed Forces.

In addition to the Swedish incident preparedness activated air force in several other nations of the Russian bombers rampage, according to the operational chief Göran Mårtensson.

– There were several aircraft that were up from several nations, he said.

Unusual kind of plan

Göran Mårtensson would not comment on which countries it is about but says it varied depending on the location of the Baltic Sea, the Russian plan was.

– They go The up and then I drop some and go home.

From the Swedish side sent two JAS Gripen from the incident preparedness up to ward off and identify the Russian plan, which constantly was in international airspace.

– We considered it interesting that they were there and flew with this aircraft type, in this way, says Jesper Tengroth.

The Russian plan was of the TU-22M “Backfire” – a strategic supersonic bomber developed during the Soviet era. Bomb Planet has a very long range and capacity to carry nuclear weapons.

“Indicates power status”

Supreme Commander Sverker Goranson commented on the event in the Swedish Radio “P4 Extra” on Thursday. He states that the two planes flew “provocative close” Swedish airspace.

– It’s a mark of Russia and one that we are seeing relatively regularly. As Russia is reforming so practice is also more complex and show a degree of aggressiveness that we have not seen before, says the Supreme Commander.

Sverker Goranson mentioned that the Russian planes fly with no transponders turned on – which is a real risk of civil aviation in the region.

– There is a clear indication that there is a much higher activity from the Russian side to highlight its great power status. They perform more exercises and of course it is a signal to the outside world. And then we must show that we are prepared to protect our democracy and our open society.

Trying to influence the Summit

Prime Minister Stephen Löfven was informed in accordance with the incident after he landed in Riga on Thursday where he now takes part in a European summit on the Eastern Partnership. SvD says defense analyst Stefan Call to today’s flight might have a connection with the summit in Latvia, which kicks off today.

– You can not ignore the fact that the conference in Riga is an important factor which Russia safely ways to influence, he tells the magazine.

The Eastern Partnership was formed six years ago on the initiative of Sweden and Poland and aims to bring countries like Georgia and Moldova closer to the EU.

Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist (S) are traveling in the United States but also have knowledge of the event.

– He was informed when it happened. This is a behavior that we are now seeing more and more in the Baltic Sea, says press secretary Marinette Nyh Radebo to Aftonbladet.