Sweden links Russian naval vessel to jammed drone near French carrier

Sweden's Defence Minister, Peter Hultqvist, has stated that there is a "strong link" between a jammed drone and a Russian naval vessel in the area. The incident occurred near a French aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, which was conducting exercises in the Baltic Sea.

According to the Swedish Defence Ministry, the drone was detected and jammed by the French navy on August 10. The ministry did not provide further details on the type of drone or the method used to jam it.

However, Hultqvist revealed that the Swedish military had been monitoring increased Russian military activity in the region, including the presence of a Russian naval vessel in the area. He suggested that the drone may have been used for reconnaissance purposes.

"We have seen an increased presence of Russian military vessels and aircraft in the Baltic Sea, and we have also seen an increased use of drones," Hultqvist said in a statement. "We are closely monitoring the situation and are in close contact with our French and other NATO partners."

The incident has sparked concerns over the increased Russian military activity in the region. The Baltic Sea has become a focal point of tensions between Russia and NATO, with both sides conducting military exercises and increasing their presence in the area.

The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle was in the Baltic Sea as part of a NATO exercise aimed at strengthening the alliance's presence in the region. The exercise, which included ships and aircraft from several NATO countries, was seen as a demonstration of the alliance's commitment to collective defence.

The incident is not the first time that Russia has been accused of using drones for military purposes. In 2018, Ukraine accused Russia of using drones to spy on its military positions. Russia has also been accused of using drones in Syria and Libya.

The use of drones has become increasingly common in modern warfare, with many countries investing in drone technology for reconnaissance and combat purposes. However, the use of drones in sensitive regions such as the Baltic Sea has raised concerns over the potential for miscalculations and escalation.

Sweden's defence minister has called for increased vigilance and cooperation among NATO countries to address the growing Russian military presence in the region. "We need to be prepared to respond to any situation that may arise," Hultqvist said. "We are working closely with our partners to ensure that we are ready to defend our territory and our interests."

The incident has also sparked a response from NATO, with the alliance's Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, calling for calm and restraint. "We are monitoring the situation closely and are in close contact with our allies," Stoltenberg said. "We urge all parties to exercise restraint and to avoid any actions that could escalate the situation."

The incident is likely to add to the growing tensions between Russia and NATO, which have been exacerbated by Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its ongoing support for separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine. The Baltic Sea has become a key flashpoint in the tensions, with both sides conducting military exercises and increasing their presence in the region.