Russian planes that breached Swedish airspace on March 2 were equipped with nukes: Reports

Two Russian planes that violated Swedish airspace earlier this month were found to be armed with nuclear weapons, Swedish media reported. According to Swedish news outlet TV4 Nyheterna, flyover near island of Gotland on March 2 was a planned act intended to threaten Sweden. A total of four planes took off from Kaliningr, Russia's airbase. re were two Sukhoi 24 assault planes with two Sukhoi 27 fighter aeroplanes escorting m.

According to TV4 Nyheter's sources, two attack planes were equipped with nuclear weapons. infringement on Swedish soil lasted roughly a minute. country's air force dispatched two JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets, which photographed invers. According to Swedish media, it was n that Russian planes' nuclear bombs were confirmed.

'We assess it as a conscious action. Which is very serious especially as [Russia] is a warring country. I can not rule out incorrect navigation, but everything indicates that it was a deliberate act. That y violated Sweden's borders,' Swedish Air Force Chief Carl-Johan Edstrom stated.

incident transpired just days after Russian President Vlimir Putin threatened Sweden and neighbouring Finland with military action if eir of countries joined NATO. Meanwhile, two nations were partaking in joint military drills.  Swedish fighter jets were scrambled and photographed Russian jets, according to an official statement. 

'Unprofessional and Irresponsible behaviour from Russian side'

Following incident, Edstrom remarked, "In light of current situation we are very concerned about incident. This is unprofessional and irresponsible behavior from Russian side."

After Cold War concluded, Sweden reduced its military spending. Swedish Parliament agreed to a change only after Russia's annexation of Crimean peninsula in 2014. Sweden reinstated compulsory military duty in 2017 and reactivated its Baltic Sea garrison on island of Gotland in January 2018.

It increased defence spending by 40% in October, ding an ditional 27 billion Swedish kronor ($2.8 billion, 2.5 billion euros) to defence budget from 2021 to 2025. However, argument over NATO membership has resurfaced in recent weeks, as it has in neighbouring Finland. Support for joining NATO is at an all-time high in Sweden, according to a poll conducted by public brocaster SVT in April.