Swedish Air Force fighter jets were scrambled on 22 January after Russian long-range aircraft approached NATO airspace during a patrol over the Baltic Sea. According to Sweden’s Armed Forces, Quick Reaction Alert Gripen fighters were launched to identify and shadow a Russian formation consisting of a Tu-22M3 bomber escorted by Su-35S fighters. The aircraft were operating in international airspace but close to NATO member states bordering the Baltic. Images released by Försvarsmakten showed the S