Sweden in 2013

[EndlessWire]

This is a link to a short article about what Sweden went through. This happened in 2013. I looked this up because of the report that four Russian jets had entered their airspace east of Gotland Island very recently, like in the last 10 days. Sweden is not in NATO. Also, Germany sent protective forces to the Baltic Sea. So, I am just watching. If I were them, I'd NATO up in a hurry. The threat is there.

If you read it, you will notice the similarities to how Russia is operating even today. The size and type of aircraft he used then most likely will be used in this war. He has activated his air force with bombers that Ukraine can't reach. That tanker he sent over Sweden (or around Sweden) needs to be watched for (pardon my grammar).

https://www.businessinsider.com/nato-report-russia-sweden-nuclear-2016-2

[Karadeniz]

1. The Irish didn't tolerate their b.s.

[EndlessWire]

2. Well, why should they

when they have Irish Fishermen?

[Karadeniz]

7. That's what I meant!

[mitch96]

3. Poking into your "frenemy" air space was and is a common thing. Still not nice

The russians would enter really Really REALLY close to American air space in Alaska. They wanted to know how fast we could react. We do it to them also. The problem is one mis calculation, one oops and then it's bang bang bang... So my opinion is the Red airforce is seeing how fast the Swedes can react to an interdiction..
And also to let the Swedish government know they are still watching..
YMMV
m

[EndlessWire]

4. Well, I generally agree with you.

We get this all the time up in the Alaskan area. We always greet them with jets.

But, this Sweden thing is different. Plus, back in 2013 or therabouts, they also sent a nuclear sub. This time, in 2022, the Swedish Air Force greeted them. But, after Russia threatened Sweden with retaliation if they joined NATO, it is hard to say that this is just a normal probe of defenses. I worry a lot about this, because we have told Russia many times that we will NOT defend nonNATO countries. Sweden and Finland are nonNATO. We may have confused Putin as to what he can and cannot do. Clearly, we don't care about Ukraine. Oh, we care, but we are not going to enter the country to defend them. And, I have little reason to think that we would enter Sweden to defend them.

Sweden thinks that they have plenty of NATO friends to help them. But, they might be shocked in this new world of "drawing the line." Otherwise, we might have to explain why Ukraine didn't matter, but Sweden does. It's not right. The nuclear threat applies to Sweden every bit as much as it applies to Ukraine. It will simply be another side of the pickle we are in.

I also think that Poland is vulnerable in a big way; it is entirely possible that Putin has made the decision that NATO is all show and no go, and that he could take Poland on three sides and we would not be able to stop him.

Kaliningrad is chock full of soldiers and ordinance. He could nail Sweden big time without ever leaving port. And, then we would have to step up to the plate. So, in this day and moment in history, I don't regard probing jets as only a normal test.

[mitch96]

5. "it is hard to say that this is just a normal probe of defenses"...... I totally agree....

In these harrowing times I think this incursion is putins way of making a point that they are the 800# gorilla in the Baltic... The dumb thing is that these actions will PUSH Finland and Sweden INTO joining NATO for protection... putin is such a putz
m

[EndlessWire]

6. Yep n/t