Lyce · Hybrid Watch
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Russian Su-33 briefly violates Norwegian airspace northeast of Vardø.
On 18 August 2025, a Russian Su-33 fighter aircraft entered Norwegian sovereign airspace over the sea northeast of Vardø. The Norwegian government confirmed that the violation lasted one minute. This was a separate incident from the Su-24 incursion on 25 April and the L-410 border crossing on 24 July. It was the third of three Russian airspace violations disclosed by Norway on 23 September 2025. The reported location was offshore, rather than over Vardø itself. The government’s statement did not specify the aircraft’s penetration distance, flight route or any interception measures. Norwegian authorities raised the incidents directly with Russia and requested explanations. They also informed parliament and shared information with NATO allies. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said authorities could not establish whether the violations were intentional or resulted from navigational errors, while describing them as unacceptable. The incident should therefore be recorded as an officially confirmed Russian military airspace violation, without presenting deliberate reconnaissance, provocation or an attack as established fact.
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On 18 August 2025, a Russian Su-33 fighter aircraft entered Norwegian sovereign airspace over the sea northeast of Vardø. The Norwegian government confirmed that the violation lasted one minute. This was a separate incident from the Su-24 incursion on 25 April and the L-410 border crossing on 24 July. It was the third of three Russian airspace violations disclosed by Norway on 23 September 2025. The reported location was offshore, rather than over Vardø itself. The government’s statement did not specify the aircraft’s penetration distance, flight route or any interception measures. Norwegian authorities raised the incidents directly with Russia and requested explanations. They also informed parliament and shared information with NATO allies. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said authorities could not establish whether the violations were intentional or resulted from navigational errors, while describing them as unacceptable. The incident should therefore be recorded as an officially confirmed Russian military airspace violation, without presenting deliberate reconnaissance, provocation or an attack as established fact.