This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russian-fighter-jet-passes-within-feet-of-swedish-surveillance-plane-over-baltic-sea-9775572.html
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Ukraine crisis: Russian fighter jet passes 'within feet' of Swedish surveillance plane over Baltic Sea | |
(about 17 hours later) | |
A Russian fighter jet has passed within feet of a Swedish plane over the Baltic Sea in an “unusually provocative” move, according to authorities. | A Russian fighter jet has passed within feet of a Swedish plane over the Baltic Sea in an “unusually provocative” move, according to authorities. |
Sweden’s signals intelligence agency the FRA, also known as the National Defence Radio Establishment, and the country’s armed forces have documented an increase in Russian military activity in the region. | Sweden’s signals intelligence agency the FRA, also known as the National Defence Radio Establishment, and the country’s armed forces have documented an increase in Russian military activity in the region. |
The FRA released a statement on Thursday saying Russian fighter jets had approached Swedish surveillance aircraft “on several occasions” over the past six months. | The FRA released a statement on Thursday saying Russian fighter jets had approached Swedish surveillance aircraft “on several occasions” over the past six months. |
A photograph of a Russian Su-27 fighter jet has been released, appearing to show it within just feet of the Swedish plane and rotated to show its armoury of missiles. | A photograph of a Russian Su-27 fighter jet has been released, appearing to show it within just feet of the Swedish plane and rotated to show its armoury of missiles. |
Lena Nyberg, director of the FRA, said: “In general, the military activity over the Baltic Sea has had seen a noticeable increase in recent years. | Lena Nyberg, director of the FRA, said: “In general, the military activity over the Baltic Sea has had seen a noticeable increase in recent years. |
“Among other things, it has now taken the form of Russian fighter jets on several occasions behaving in a new and more provocative way.” | “Among other things, it has now taken the form of Russian fighter jets on several occasions behaving in a new and more provocative way.” |
The deputy director of operations for Sweden’s armed forces, Anders Grenstad, said Russian activity in the area was being closely monitored. | The deputy director of operations for Sweden’s armed forces, Anders Grenstad, said Russian activity in the area was being closely monitored. |
“They are now showing behaviour that we haven’t seen in previous years,” he added. | “They are now showing behaviour that we haven’t seen in previous years,” he added. |
“It’s markedly more aggressive flying now.” | “It’s markedly more aggressive flying now.” |
The news follows revelations last month that two Russian Su-24 fighters had been detected flying in Swedish airspace to the south of Öland, sparking outrage from Swedish politicians. | The news follows revelations last month that two Russian Su-24 fighters had been detected flying in Swedish airspace to the south of Öland, sparking outrage from Swedish politicians. |
The FRA gathers intelligence from the Baltic Sea to monitor the actions of foreign militaries and support the Swedish Air Force. | The FRA gathers intelligence from the Baltic Sea to monitor the actions of foreign militaries and support the Swedish Air Force. |
Russia and Sweden have previously been involved in several disputes in the region, most notably in the so-called Catalina affair of 1952. | Russia and Sweden have previously been involved in several disputes in the region, most notably in the so-called Catalina affair of 1952. |
Russian fighter planes shot down an unarmed Swedish aircraft over international waters, killing the eight crew on board, then targeted a plane sent to search for it days later. | Russian fighter planes shot down an unarmed Swedish aircraft over international waters, killing the eight crew on board, then targeted a plane sent to search for it days later. |
The Soviet Government denied any knowledge of the attacks until 1991, despite the wreckage of one plane being found with shrapnel from Russian MiG ammunition. | The Soviet Government denied any knowledge of the attacks until 1991, despite the wreckage of one plane being found with shrapnel from Russian MiG ammunition. |
Russia has not commented on Sweden's allegations. | Russia has not commented on Sweden's allegations. |
Previous version
1
Next version