Nato has sent its F-35 fighter jets to intercept Russian planes. The operation on Thursday (May 27) is understood to have taken place after the Norwegian Air Force spotted the aircraft flying close to the border with Finland.
The planes were identified by Norway as a Mikoyan MiG-31 'Foxhound' and a Sukhoi Su-24 'Fencer' jet, MailOnline reports. The air force reportedly said the Russian planes flew to the Norwegian Sea before returning east.
Finland and Sweden have lodged applications to join Nato, heightening tensions with Russia which had warned the two countries against pursuing membership of the military alliance. In April Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said NATO was "not that kind of alliance which ensures peace and stability" and that Russia would "rebalance the situation" is Sweden and Finland joined.
Stine Barclay Gaasland, communications manager in the Norwegian Air Force, told Norway's TV 2 Nyhetene that two F35 fighter jets are kept on standby. "In 15 minutes they must be in the air and be ready at all times," he said.
There would have been a "more aggressive action" if the Russian jets had gone into Norway's airspace, said Gaasland. Sweden and Finland are due to attend the Nato summit in Madrid on June 28-30.
Speaking on Tuesday (May 25) before a meeting of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said Russia had left Sweden and Finland “no choice” but to join Nato. She said Germany would support the two countries’ membership, calling it “a real gain” for the military alliance.
This week delegations from Sweden and Finland were scheduled to hold talks in Ankara with senior officials in an effort to overcome Turkey’s objections to their bids to join Nato. Delegations from Sweden and Finland are scheduled to hold talks in Ankara with senior officials in an effort to overcome Turkey’s objections to their historic bids to join the Nato alliance.
Turkey’s objections have dampened Stockholm’s and Helsinki’s hopes for quick Nato membership. All 30 members must agree to admit new countries.
