DISINFO: US trained in the skies over Norway and Sweden, to attack Russia
SUMMARY
The United States used the airspace of Norway and Sweden to simulate strikes in Russia with B-1B Lancer bombers. According to the Telegram channel “Svarshchiki”, Norway and Sweden made their airspace available for aggressive (offensive) operations against Russia with strategic bombers of the US Air Force B-1B Lancer on May 20, 2020. The United States even petted the head of the complaining Swedish leadership (not part of NATO) because it allowed its country to come into conflict with Russia solely in the interests of the United States (to the detriment of its population, economy and security). Sweden has accompanied strategists with Gripen fighters and Norway with F-35 planes.
RESPONSE
New adaptation of a recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on western militaries or NATO encircling and trying to attack Russia.
On 20 May 2020, US strategic B-1B bombers were in joint training with Norwegian and Swedish fighter jets, exercising in the airspace over both Norway and Sweden. Two B-1B Lancers from the 28th Bomb Wing in Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, conducted a long-range strategic bomber task force mission to the Nordic region on 20 May 2020. The bombers visited Norwegian airspace, where they integrated and trained with four Norwegian F-35s. For Norway, the U.S. mission provided an important training opportunity. These training exercises were not targeted at Russia, nor were these jets training to target Russia as claimed.
According to the U.S. Air Force, the US regularly deploys bomber aircraft to the European theatre of operations: "The training with joint partners, allied nations and other U.S. Air Force units contributes to the US' ready and postured forces and enables the US to build enduring and strategic relationships." According to the U.S. Air Force these training exercises contribute to enhanced resiliency and interoperability. The U.S. Air Forces in Europe & Air Forces Africa's press release from May 2020 reads "strategic bombers contribute to stability in the European theatre by sending a clear deterrence message to any potential adversary."
Sweden is not a NATO member but is a partner country. In 2014, Sweden signed a host country agreement with NATO allowing for the allied forces to conduct joint training exercises in the country. Read similar cases alleging that The EU is encircling Russia and creating additional conflict zones, NATO exploits non-existent “Russian threat” to increase its presence close to Russian borders and that the US creates and spreads a false image about an “aggressive” Russia constituting a security “threat”.