A Russian Ił-20 reconnaissance plane was intercepted by Swedish and German fighter jets in international airspace over the Baltic Sea on Sunday.
Incident Details
The incident occurred when Swedish Gripen and German Eurofighter jets were scrambled to respond to a Russian Ił-20 reconnaissance plane identified in international airspace over the southern Baltic Sea. The Swedish authorities monitored the plane, which did not respond to attempts at contact and had no reported flight plan.
Recent Provocations
This incident follows another provocation by Russia in the region. Two days prior, three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace without permission, staying for 12 minutes. NATO confirmed the incident and responded quickly to intercept the planes.
International Response
The incidents have drawn international attention, with Estonia requesting an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on September 22. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that such actions by Russia undermine key principles of international security and are part of a broader pattern of aggression towards regional stability and NATO.
Escalating Tensions
These actions by Russia are seen as escalating tensions in the region. The incidents come after Russian drones violated the airspace of Poland and Romania, highlighting a pattern of behavior that requires a decisive response from the international community.
