Over the weekend, residents on the western coast of Gotland were startled by two loud explosions, which were later confirmed by the Swedish Air Force as part of a sharp operation involving two JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets.

This operation was not a drill but a defensive action to protect Sweden's borders, according to Louise Levin, the Air Force's communications chief.

The loud sounds, referred to as 'sonic booms', were a result of the fighter jets' rapid response capabilities.

Levin clarified that this was not an airspace violation but a preparedness measure, highlighting the Air Force's ongoing readiness to secure the country's perimeters round the clock, every day of the year.

This incident follows a recent event on April 9, when Swedish and German jets responded to a Russian surveillance aircraft entering Swedish airspace, emphasizing the routine nature of such defensive operations.