Russian bombers prompt NATO response over Baltic skies
The Swedish Armed Forces detected Russian Tu-22 bombers over the Baltic Sea, prompting a reaction from several NATO countries. However, according to Therese Akerstedt, a spokeswoman for the Swedish Air Force, there was no violation of Swedish airspace.
On Tuesday, two Russian Tu-22 bombers were encountered over the Baltic, escorted by Su-27 fighters. This event caught the attention of the Swedish Armed Forces, who decided to take action. In response, the Swedish Air Force dispatched two Jas Gripen fighters. Photos from this operation were published on forsvarsmakten.se, confirming Sweden's interest in the incident.
Russian bombers over the Baltic
Before the Russian aircraft crossed into international airspace near Gotland, they were monitored by allied armed forces. In the Gulf of Finland, Finnish F-18s intercepted the Russian planes, after which they were tracked by a Dutch F-35 fighter as part of NATO's Air Policing mission.
Cooperation within NATO proved crucial in this case. As representatives of the Swedish Air Force emphasized, international coordination made it possible to effectively transition between the different countries' fighters participating in the mission.
Tu-22 bombers
The Tu-22 bomber, also referred to as the "Blinder" in NATO nomenclature, was the first supersonic strategic bomber developed in the Soviet Union by the Tupolev design bureau. Designed in the 1950s, the aircraft entered service in the early 1960s with the aim of increasing the USSR's strike capabilities during the Cold War. Its main role was to carry nuclear payloads over long distances and conduct reconnaissance and assault missions. Currently, Russia uses modernized versions of the aircraft, including the Tu-22M3.
The Tu-22M3 bombers, an advancement of the earlier Tu-22 model, feature the capability of reaching supersonic speeds and achieving long ranges. With a design combining modern technologies, the Tu-22M3 can conduct missions over distances of several thousand kilometres. In terms of armament, the Tu-22M3 can carry advanced missiles, including long-range missiles, as well as conventional bombs. This makes them versatile aircraft ready to undertake a wide range of offensive tasks. Although precise data related to the armament is not available, these aircraft are often used in operations requiring significant firepower.
