Swedish spy plane approaches Russian border in Finland

A Swedish Air Force Gulfstream S102B Korpen reconnaissance aircraft has conducted a radar surveillance mission over Finnish territory near Russia’s border, flight-tracking data confirmed.

The aircraft took off from Tampere-Pirkkala Airport at 10:46 a.m. Moscow time and headed northeast toward northern Finland, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

By 11:00 a.m. Moscow time, the aircraft was approximately 50 kilometres from the Russian border, according to the data.

Swedish Air Force aircraft regularly conduct reconnaissance flights near Russia’s western borders and have also occasionally operated over the Black Sea near Crimea.

Moscow has repeatedly raised concerns over increased NATO military activity near Russia’s borders, describing the activity as unprecedented and warning about the alliance’s growing military presence in Europe.

By Vafa Guliyeva