Posted on 08/04/2014 3:35:44 PM PDT by nickcarraway
The US has confirmed that one of its reconnaissance aircraft violated Swedish airspace on July 18th, according to a media report.
US authorities told the CNN news channel that the plane was conducting reconnaissance missions in international airspace when it was observed by Russian radar. Russia is reported to have scrambled aircraft to chase the US plane away.
The US crew elected to exit the area by the fastest route possible, which meant passing through Swedish airspace.
The flight passed over Gotland, an island off the east coast of Sweden, on July 18th in the late afternoon.
A classified document from the Swedish Defence Force, which was leaked last Wednesday, revealed that the mystery flight passed over Swedish airspace from the east. This information has now been confirmed by the US.
The plane, a Boeing RC-135, was denied permission to pass over Swedish airspace, but the pilots chose to disregard the refusal.
The US State Department told CNN that similar situations may arise in the future and that these scenarios are being discussed with the Swedish authorities.
Neither the foreign ministry nor the Swedish Defence Force have confirmed or denied the report.
Putin’s fault. Really.
I’d pay for those. Where’s Snowden?
Who should we protest to? Russia for painting our aircraft, or Sweden by refusing an overflight?
Sweden is trying to stay neutral in this east/west confrontation.
So the big and powerful Swedish Defense Force can just shut up. The plane was in international space when the choice was up to Russia who force a change. If Russia shot the plane down we would be a WWIII and Russia better be careful. Sweden, get a good night sleep and you will feel better in the morning.
If it was in international airspace, 1) why not just let the Russian aircraft come fly alongside as we flew alongside theirs and they have alongside ours in the past. I thought that was routine in some areas, in fact. And 2) why did they want to make a fast exit from international airspace?
I don't understand what is or was unusual about this if the aircraft was in international airspace. I sort of understand the Swedes and their neutrality stuff, but if there was anything at all unusual an exception shouldn't have been a problem even for a neutral country if there was a reason to get out of international airspace for some reason.
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt drew parallels with the shooting down of Korean Airlines flight 007 - "There are those who remember press conference where Soviet Ministry of Defence denied everything concerning shooting down of KAL007," he said.
Putin’s credibility lies amid the wreckage of flight MH17 - "Let us be clear on one thing: the crisis over Ukraine, which has been escalating since late last summer, has been initiated and driven by Russia at each and every step. And whatever details emerge over the downing of the Malaysian airliner on Thursday, it is here that the ultimate responsibility lies." - Carl Bildt
Swedish FM Carl Bildt: - "...I think it is important that we are extremely firm on how grave the violation of international law is that Russia has undertaken in - in the case of Crimea and that we make very clear to Russia that the invasion, the occupation and the annexation of Crimea will have consequences. We will never accept it."
Europe threatens Russia with tough sanctions - "Everyone was in agreement without exception that something must be done," said Sweden's foreign minister Carl Bildt. "I think Europe did wake up."
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