Sweden: Russia could also violate our airspace

By Atilla Altuntas

STOCKHOLM (AA) - Following Russia’s alleged airspace violations of countries along NATO’s eastern flank, Sweden could be next, said the nation's premier on Monday.

“Russia could carry out the same airspace violations in Sweden that it has in Poland and Estonia. We have clear intelligence indicating that Russia is behind the violations in Poland and Estonia. In Denmark’s case, we do not have the same technical evidence,” Ulf Kristersson told a news conference along with the country’s foreign and defense ministers.

Addressing the recent sightings of drones at airports in Copenhagen, Denmark, following incidents in Poland and Estonia, Kristersson claimed Russia targets countries that provide the most support to Ukraine, adding: “We will support Denmark by providing radar units and military-grade drone defense systems.”

In her remarks, Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said the recent events have prompted intense activity within NATO, which maintains constant contact with the Baltic and Scandinavian countries.

Defense Minister Pal Jonson said that in the wake of the airspace violations, Sweden will support a new NATO initiative called Eastern Sentry, aimed at strengthening defense on Europe’s eastern flank.

Poland reported that on Sept. 9, Russian drones violated its airspace, prompting a joint NATO response.

Russian drones were later reportedly detected in Romanian airspace.

Estonia also said that its airspace was violated by Russian jets on Sept. 19, but NATO intervention halted the aircraft.