This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29752368
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Sweden calls off search for suspected submarine | Sweden calls off search for suspected submarine |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The Swedish military has called off its week-long search for a suspected submarine in the sea south of Stockholm, officials say. | The Swedish military has called off its week-long search for a suspected submarine in the sea south of Stockholm, officials say. |
Naval vessels and planes have been searching the Stockholm archipelago for the last week, amid suspicions a Russian submarine was in trouble there. | Naval vessels and planes have been searching the Stockholm archipelago for the last week, amid suspicions a Russian submarine was in trouble there. |
Russia's defence ministry denied any of its ships were involved. | Russia's defence ministry denied any of its ships were involved. |
It was reported to be Sweden's biggest military mobilisation since the Cold War. | It was reported to be Sweden's biggest military mobilisation since the Cold War. |
In a statement, the military said: "This means the bulk of ships and amphibious forces have returned to port." It added that some smaller units would remain in the area. | In a statement, the military said: "This means the bulk of ships and amphibious forces have returned to port." It added that some smaller units would remain in the area. |
The statement (in Swedish) did not say why the search had been cancelled. A press conference on the search will be held at 10:00 local time (08:00 GMT). | |
The military had been investigating possible "foreign underwater activities" based on what it called "several credible operations". | The military had been investigating possible "foreign underwater activities" based on what it called "several credible operations". |
It said that hundreds of people were involved in the search. | |
Swedish officials had not named any country. However, there were widespread suspicions that the Russian navy was involved. | |
Russian officials have repeatedly denied any involvement, with a defence ministry statement saying: "There have been no extraordinary, let alone emergency situations, involving Russian military vessels." | |
Soviet submarine sightings caused Cold War security alerts in Sweden in the 1980s. | |
Russia's military intervention in Ukraine this year has fuelled suspicion about its intentions towards other neighbouring states, notably in the Baltic. | Russia's military intervention in Ukraine this year has fuelled suspicion about its intentions towards other neighbouring states, notably in the Baltic. |
On Tuesday, Nato said its jets intercepted a Russian spy plane that had briefly entered Estonian airspace. | On Tuesday, Nato said its jets intercepted a Russian spy plane that had briefly entered Estonian airspace. |
Russia said the plane had been on a training flight and had not violated Estonian airspace. | Russia said the plane had been on a training flight and had not violated Estonian airspace. |
Sweden is not part of Nato but has tightened its ties with the alliance. | |
It signed a pact with Nato on 5 September, allowing it to engage in joint training exercises, and receive assistance from Nato troops in emergencies. |