On September 24, Finnish and Swedish fighter jets scrambled for the first time to intercept supersonic Russian military aircraft flying over the Gulf of Finland. This marked a significant step in Nordic defense cooperation amidst rising tensions with Moscow.
The mission occurred a day before Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed European warnings about regional threats and criticized Estonia’s new defense minister for the Baltic state’s military preparations.
Finnish F/A-18 Hornets and Swedish JAS 39 Gripens intercepted Russian aircraft detected in international airspace, according to the Swedish Armed Forces.
The Russian formation included a Tu-134 transport plane, MiG-31 interceptors designed for detecting and engaging long-range threats, and Su-30 multirole fighter jets capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground combat.
“This is what close cooperation looks like in practice,” Major General Jonas Wikman, commander of the Swedish Air Force, stated following the joint operation. “Built over years on trust and strong personal relationships, we can now operate seamlessly together—as air forces, as nations, and as Allies.”
Russian military activity has prompted growing concern among NATO’s eastern flank. Recent airspace violations include Russian drones entering Polish airspace, a Mi-8 helicopter crossing from Kaliningrad into Poland, drones crashing in Romania and Moldova, and Russian jets entering Estonian airspace, intercepted by NATO aircraft on September 18.
In Estonia, Defense Minister Martin Herem warned of Russia’s potential to use military force against Estonia within a year and questioned whether Tallinn’s defenses are adequate for such a scenario. Prime Minister Kristen Michal indicated the government’s readiness to close border crossing points if threat assessments change.
During the St. Petersburg International United Cultures Forum, Putin responded to such warnings. “Many people in Europe say they expect an attack from Russia and claim they must prepare for war with Russia,” he said. “I want to emphasize once again: we are not preparing for military action against Europe.” Putin mocked Herem’s warnings as “political clowning,” deeming them “complete nonsense and absurdity,” according to EurAsia Daily.
Estonia lies across the Gulf of Finland from Finland. The three nations play a key role in NATO’s increasingly integrated northern and eastern defenses, concerned about Russian military actions.
After Finland joined NATO as its 31st member in April 2023, Sweden followed as the 32nd member in March 2024. Estonia, independent from the Soviet Union since 1991, has been a NATO member since 2004.
The Baltic Sea region remains alert due to incidents related to gas pipelines, sabotage, and hybrid threats since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
In June, NATO announced enhanced protection for eastern members in cyber and space domains, helping countries resist hostile Russian actions like cyberattacks and airspace violations.
NATO stresses its military actions along the eastern flank are defensive. The alliance remains “ready, willing, and able to defend every Ally.” NATO said an attack against any member would elicit a “resounding response.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized U.S. involvement. During a visit to Iowa, he told The Associated Press, “Putin knows that the United States and Europe are totally intertwined.”
“We must ensure we are prepared and strong,” Rutte added, “and if he does anything silly, he knows our reaction will be tough.”
European intelligence officials on September 24 speculated Russia might test NATO defenses. Denmark’s Defense Intelligence Service assessed a limited Russian attack against a NATO country as “low but growing,” anticipating intensified hybrid campaigns against NATO and the West.
The service stated that a full-scale Russian invasion of a NATO member remains unlikely, but not impossible.
Emma Bussey writes breaking news for Fox News Digital. Previously, she worked at The Telegraph with the U.S. overnight team, covering foreign, politics, news, sport, and culture.