Sweden scrambles jets to intercept Russian bomber in Nato airspace

• A Russian SU-24 aircraft encroached into Swedish airspace over its Baltic island
• Incident over Gotland, on Friday, comes three months after Sweden joined Nato
• Two JAS-39 Gripen fighters were scrambled, forcing bomber to turn around

Swedish fighter jets were scrambled after a Russian bomber entered Nato airspace hours before world leaders gathered for a historic peace conference over Ukraine.

A Russian SU-24 aircraft encroached into Swedish airspace over its strategic Baltic island, Gotland, on Friday, three months after the country became a Nato member.

The Swedish air force first warned the Russian pilot over the radio, but the bomber did not deviate from its course.

Then two JAS-39 Gripen fighters were scrambled, which forced it to turn around, the Swedish air force said.

The encroachment was condemned by Swedish leaders, as security experts said it could lead to a sudden escalation between Russia and Nato.

Two JAS-39 Gripen fighters were scrambled on Friday after a Russian bomber entered Nato airspace hours before world leaders gathered for a historic peace conference over Ukraine (file pic)

A Russian SU-24 aircraft encroached into Swedish airspace over its strategic Baltic island, Gotland, on Friday, causing the Swedish air force to scramble its fighter jets (file pic)

Analysts say the incident indicates that Russian President Vladimir Putin 'does not want a nuclear war but he does want to threaten Nato'

'This Russian behaviour is not acceptable and shows a lack of respect for our territorial integrity,' said Jonas Wikman, head of the Air Force.

Professor Anthony Glees, a former security expert at Brunel University, said: 'This is seriously dangerous.

'Putin doesn't want a nuclear war but he does want to threaten Nato. But it could easily go wrong.

'One error on his part and Nato will respond in kind.'

Friday's incident came a day after G7 leaders in Italy agreed a £40 billion loan to Ukraine over ten years, funded by the windfall interest Western governments have made from freezing £219 billion of Russian assets since Putin invaded Ukraine in 2022.

On Saturday, world leaders from at least 90 countries gathered near the Swiss town of Lucerne to discuss how to bring lasting peace to Ukraine.

They included US Vice President, Kamala Harris, Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky, and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau.

Rishi Sunak also flew into Lucerne immediately after attending Trooping the Colour in Whitehall with the King.

In addition to the £40 billion loan, Ms Harris unveiled a further £1 billion to help Ukraine re-build its power stations, and provide food to refugees.

Rishi Sunak was among world leaders from at least 90 countries who gathered near the Swiss town of Lucerne to discuss how to bring lasting peace to Ukraine. Pictured: Sunak with Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky

But Russia was not allowed to attend, and China did not send a representative, dismissing the summit as 'futile.'

Beijing had said such a gathering must also include Russia alongside Ukraine.

It was reported last week that Mr Zelensky had urged the Chinese to attend, as its support of Russia has meant Western attempts to isolate Putin's regime have failed.

Oleksandr Merezhko, a Ukrainian MP, said: 'That is a minus. It seems China decided to support its strategic partner without limits, Russia, not the peace process: the aggressor, not the peace.'

President Zelensky opened the conference, saying: 'We have succeeded in bringing back to the world the idea that joint efforts can stop war and establish a just peace.'

In a bid to pre-empt the summit, Putin offered a peace plan on Friday, in which Ukraine would give up at least five regions to Russia and abandon plans to join Nato.

But President Zelensky flatly rejected the offer on Saturday.

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