Amid rising tensions in the Baltic region, Sweden and other nations are prepared to defend their airspace against Russian incursions. Defense Minister Pål Jonson emphasizes Sweden's right to protect its territory, while geopolitical advisor Joakim Paasikivi warns of the risks of escalation. The UK and other NATO allies also express readiness to respond to potential threats.
Sweden and Allies Ready to Defend Airspace Amid Russian Incursions
Sweden and Allies Ready to Defend Airspace Amid Russian Incursions
The Russian violations have further tightened the already tense situation in the Baltic region. Sweden and several other countries are now open to shooting down fighter jets that intrude into their airspace.
"Sweden has the right to defend its airspace, with force if necessary," says Defense Minister Pål Jonson to Aftonbladet.
In less than two weeks, Russian drones or fighter jets have violated the airspace over NATO countries in the Baltic region on four occasions. As recently as Sunday, a Swedish Jas Gripen plane participated in an operation against a Russian reconnaissance aircraft over the southern Baltic Sea.
Joakim Paasikivi, a former lieutenant colonel and now a senior geopolitical advisor at the law firm Mannheimer Swartling, sees these incidents as part of Russia's hybrid warfare. Previously, it was sabotage against underwater cables, and now it is airspace violations.
"If one method does not achieve the desired effect, it is abandoned, and another is tried," he says.
UK: Risk of Major War
At a meeting of the UN Security Council on Monday, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized that British and NATO allied forces are prepared to intervene against Russian aircraft if the situation requires it.
"In the worst case, recent actions are a deliberate attempt to undermine the territorial integrity of sovereign nations and Europe's security. They risk miscalculations and open the door to a direct armed confrontation between NATO and Russia," said Cooper.
Previously, Poland and Estonia have also signaled that they are ready to use military force against Russian drones or aircraft that violate their airspace.
Jonson: Will Defend Our Airspace
On Tuesday, Defense Minister Pål Jonson also stated that Sweden will not hesitate to act if necessary.
"No country has the right to violate Swedish airspace. Sweden has the right to defend its airspace, with force if necessary, and will defend its airspace," he says in a comment to Aftonbladet.
However, for a NATO country to take the step of shooting down a Russian fighter jet, Joakim Paasikivi believes that further escalation would be required.
"That is, if the Russian side does not listen to instructions and continues despite being ordered to leave the airspace."
Paasikivi: "Cannot Be Completely Sure"
If a shootdown were to occur, he still believes the risk is low that Russia would use it as a reason for a large-scale attack.
"With the current balance of power, it is unlikely – hopefully. The problem is that Russia has proven to be more risk-prone than expected, not least through the war in Ukraine, so one cannot be completely sure," says Paasikivi.
He believes that the way forward to stop the Russian violations is to continue to mark and clearly show the Kremlin that intrusions are not tolerated.
"It is about clarifying that there are rules of engagement to protect the airspace and that one does not hesitate to act if they are broken. We do not want war, but we also cannot give in so much that we risk being attacked," says Paasikivi.