The Daily Mail reports that two Russian military jets, Sukhoi 24s, that violated Sweden’s airspace on March 2, 2022 were armed with nuclear warheads.

The Swedish air force quickly intercepted and photographed the Russian jets and escorted them out of Sweden within a minute of the intrusion over the Swedish island of Gotland.

The photos revealed the nuclear weapons on the jets.

The Daily Mail explains:

‘This is a signal to Sweden that we have nuclear weapons and we could also consider using them,’ military strategic expert Stefan Ring told TV4 Nyheter.

‘We assess it as a conscious action. Which is very serious especially as [Russia] is a warring country,’ added Air Force Chief Carl-Johan Edström. 

‘I can not rule out incorrect navigation, but everything indicates that it was a deliberate act. That they violated Sweden’s borders.’  

The incident came days after Russian President Vladimir Putin had threatened military action against Sweden and neighboring Finland should either join NATO.

READ: Two Russian fighter jets that violated Swedish airspace earlier this month ‘were equipped with NUKES with the aim of scaring Stockholm’ after Putin had threatened military action if Sweden or Finland joined NATO

Majority of Swedes in favor of joining NATO

Many believe that the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, was trying to intimidate the Swedes. A recent poll revealed that for the first time in history, a majority of Swedes were interested in the country joining NATO. READ: Majority of Swedes back joining NATO for first time

Russian plan to invade Gotland?

In a program broadcast on Russian state TV in late 2021, Colonel Igor Korotchenko laid out a plan, including maps, on how Russia could invade the Baltic States, such as Latvia, Lithuania, and as well the Swedish island of Gotland.

Korotchenko said that the purpose would be to force the Baltic States to pledge allegiance to Russia and as well to require Sweden to lease Gotland to Russia for 99 years.

READ: Russian state TV discusses how Putin could invade NATO Baltic States and force Sweden to declare neutrality