TV4, Expressen and Aftonbladet reported that the formation was two Sukhoi Su-24 bombers and two Sukhoi Su-27 bombers. The bombers were said to be armed with nuclear weapons. The Stockholm Army has not yet confirmed whether the planes were carrying nuclear cargo.
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The bomber struck shortly after noon in front of a Russian military base in the town of Kaliningrad during a March 2 incident. Sources told TV4 that the move was believed to be a deliberate attempt to intimidate Sweden. Swedish JAS 39 Gripen jets were sent to intercept the planes – and they were in their airspace for about a minute. Stockholm confirmed a halt earlier this month, but reports of nuclear weapons being delivered only surfaced on Wednesday. A statement from the Swedish Armed Forces stated: “On March 2, four Russian fighter jets violated Swedish airspace. The Swedish Air Force carried out an operation with a JAS 39 Gripen aircraft of the rapid preparedness unit, which recorded and photographed the incident. “This shows that our readiness is good. We were on the ground to safeguard Sweden’s borders and territorial integrity. “We have full control of the situation,” said Air Force Commander Carl-Johan Edström. Swedish airspace was breached by two Russian SU-27s and two Russian SU-24s. The incident was brief and took place east of Gotland, out to sea. “Against the background of the current situation, we take this incident very seriously. “Russia’s behavior is unprofessional and irresponsible.”
