Swedish Armed Forces released photos taken on September 19 when intercepting Russian MiG-31 aircraft in the Baltic Sea airspace, stating that these aircraft violated Estonian airspace. The Swedish side said that its JAS-39 "Gripen" fighter jets carried out this interception and tracking mission, and emphasized that it will work with allies to ensure air sovereignty security.
This incident quickly caused a stir. As a NATO member state, Estonia's airspace being violated is seen as an provocation against NATO, directly intensifying the already tense relationship between Russia and NATO. NATO responded quickly, with Italian Air Force F-35 fighters scrambling to intercept, demonstrating the rapid activation of NATO's collective defense mechanism.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the MiG-31 aircraft strictly followed international aviation rules, flying over neutral waters in the Baltic Sea, and did not violate other countries' airspace. All flight paths have been objectively monitored and confirmed. Both sides have their own arguments, and the truth has become ambiguous.
From an international political perspective, this may be a new manifestation of the strategic confrontation between Russia and NATO against the backdrop of the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Russia uses military flights to demonstrate its military presence and strategic will, while NATO shows its determination to defend the sovereignty of its member states through interception operations. The aerial confrontation between the two sides in the Baltic region could further escalate regional tensions in the future, potentially leading to miscalculations and bringing more instability factors to the European security order.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1843773757307976/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.