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Russian Recon Aircraft Triggers First Swedish Fighter Jet Response Under NATO Command

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Vlad Litnarovych
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Russian Recon Aircraft Triggers First Swedish Fighter Jet Response Under NATO Command
Swedish JAS 39 Gripen takes off to intercept Russian Il-20M recon aircraft over the Baltic Sea, Poland, April 24, 2025. (Source: NATO Air Command/X)

Swedish fighter jets patrolling NATO airspace from Poland were scrambled for the first time to intercept a Russian military aircraft, according to NATO’s Allied Air Command on April 24.

Two JAS 39 Gripen fighters took off from Malbork Air Base and visually identified a Russian Ilyushin Il-20M reconnaissance plane flying in international airspace over the Baltic Sea, just north of Poland’s coast.

“For the first time during Sweden’s contribution to NATO’s enhanced Air Policing mission, Swedish Gripens launched in response to a Russian aircraft operating near NATO airspace,” NATO officials said.

The interception was directed by NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre in Uedem, Germany.

Russian IL-20M recon aircraft during interception by Swedish Air Forces. April 24, 2025. (Source: NATO Air Command/X)
Russian IL-20M recon aircraft during interception by Swedish Air Forces. April 24, 2025. (Source: NATO Air Command/X)

The Gripens, which began their NATO patrols from Poland in April, are part of Sweden’s first deployment under the alliance’s enhanced air policing mission since it officially joined NATO earlier this year. The initiative was launched following Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 to bolster air security along NATO’s eastern flank.

NATO praised the “seamless integration” between Swedish and British pilots currently operating out of Poland.

Alongside the fighter jets, Sweden has deployed technical support crews to maintain the Gripens on the ground throughout the mission.

The scramble comes amid a spike in Russian aerial activity near NATO borders.

Last week alone, British Typhoon fighters under the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission were scrambled three times to intercept and escort Russian aircraft in the region.

Russian military aircraft frequently fly without active transponders — electronic signals that allow civilian air traffic controllers to track and identify aircraft. This lack of visibility poses a risk to civilian air routes and is often seen as a provocative show of force, with flights typically aimed at gathering intelligence or testing NATO’s readiness.

Earlier, Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) F-35A fighter jets were scrambled to intercept and shadow a Russian Il-20 Coot-A reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea.

This marked the first operational mission for Denmark’s new F-35 fleet since the jets were declared fully mission-capable.

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