Two Russian planes that violated Swedish airspace near the island of Gotland on March 2 were equipped with nuclear weapons.
According to the European Pravda, this was reported by the Swedish TV channel TV4.
According to the TV channel, the violation was a deliberate act to intimidate Sweden.
On March 2, a group of planes took off from a Russian airbase in Kaliningrad. Four Su-24 bombers accompanied two Su-27 fighters. Two bombers, according to TV4 Nyheter sources, were equipped with nuclear weapons.
Due to the war in Ukraine, the Swedish Air Force increased its readiness and noticed in advance that Russian pilots were heading to Gotland.
Violation of Swedish airspace lasted about a minute. In response, the Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighters were lifted. Then it was confirmed, according to Swedish media, that Russian aircraft were equipped with nuclear warheads.
The Swedish Armed Forces did not comment on whether the two bombers were equipped with nuclear weapons, but said the violation was intentional.
“We assess this as a conscious action. This is very serious, especially because it is a belligerent country,” stated Air Force Commander Karl-Johan Edström.
Russia threatens the consequences for Sweden, as well as Finland in the event of joining NATO.
The Prime Minister of Sweden, Magdalena Andersson, believes that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has radically changed the security situation in Europe, making NATO membership quite acceptable to Sweden.
