An Russian-owned An-30 reconnaissance aircraft briefly flew into Swedish territory, the Swedish Army's General Staff said. The Swedish Ministry of Defense called it “absolutely unacceptable.”
Russian reconnaissance aircraft An-30 violated Swedish airspace, the General Staff of the Swedish Armed Forces said on Saturday, April 30. The day before, he briefly flew into Swedish territory, where he was photographed, the General Staff said, according to DW. In the area of security, airspace violations appear to be “extremely inappropriate.” Sweden will protest Russia through diplomatic channels.
The incident comes amid Russian aggression against Ukraine , after which Sweden and neighboring Finland have intensified their desire to join the North Atlantic Alliance . It is expected that the official address of the two countries to NATO may take place in mid-May. In this case, applications from the two Scandinavian countries may be considered at the alliance's summit in Madrid, scheduled for June.
Read also: Zakharova threatened Sweden and Finland with “consequences” for joining NATO
Russia has repeatedly warned Sweden and Finland against joining NATO, declaring that the decision would have negative consequences for peace and stability in northern Europe.
An-30 – “Blade”) – an aircraft of aerial surveillance and aerial photography. Developed in the Design Bureau. OK Antonov together with OKB them. Beriev in the mid-60s of the twentieth century. The An-30 is a profound modification of the An-24 passenger aircraft and is designed for aerial photography and aerogeophysical work. It is also used in military aviation for air reconnaissance.
