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Estonia’s foreign minister condemned the incursion as ‘unprecedentedly brazen’
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Three Russian fighter jets entered Estonian airspace and remained there without permission for 12 minutes, the Estonian government has said.
It is the third Russian incursion into Nato airspace in a fortnight after drones flew into both Poland and Romania, in moves condemned by the military alliance.
Foreign Minister Margus Tsakhna said that Russia had already violated Estonian airspace four times this year “but today’s incursion, involving three fighter aircraft entering our airspace, is unprecedentedly brazen.”
His ministry said that the incursion took place over the Gulf of Finland and three Russian MIG-31 fighters were involved. The Russian charge d’affaires was summoned and given a protest note, a ministry statement said.
Earlier this week, Donald Trump said Russian president Vladimir Putin ‘really let him down’, as he met with his UK counterpart Sir Keir Starmer for talks at Chequers.
“The one that I thought would be easiest would be because of my relationship with president Putin. But he’s let me down. He’s really let me down,” the US president said, adding that “we’re sending lots of weapons to Nato”.
“Nato is paying for those weapons in full, but we’re sending them.”
Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the principle of NATO has lost none of its relevance.
“Russia’s unacceptable violation of Estonian airspace today demonstrates this clearly,” he said.
Mr Wadephul said he had assured Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna that Germany stood in full solidarity.
Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė said NATO’s borders were being tested for a reason.
In a post on X, she said: “Three russian fighter jets over Tallinn is one more hard proof that #EasternSentry is long due.
“PS. Türkiye set an example 10 years ago. Some food for thought.”
In 2015, a Russian aircraft was shot down by the Turkish air force after it was claimed to have violated its airspace.
Nato’s secretary general Mark Rutte said he has just spoken to Estonia’s Prime Minister Kristen Michal.
“NATO’s response under Eastern Sentry was quick and decisive,” he said.
Estonia is requesting NATO Article 4 consultations, Prime Minister Kristen Michal announced.
The article states that parties will consult together when “the territorial integrity, political independence or security” of any party is at risk.
It was triggered by Poland last week after Russia’s incursion into its airspace.
Two Russian fighter jets violated the safety zone of the Petrobaltic drilling platform in the Baltic sea, according to Polish Border Guards.
Officials said that the Polish Armed Forces and other services had been notified.
Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said NATO must transform Baltic air policing into Baltic air defence.
NATO’s Baltic air policing mission aims to protect the airspace above Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
“These are not accidents. The Alliance is being tested militarily. We must sharpen NATO’s posture to the point where no one dares to test our deterrence,” said Mr Budrys.
“These provocations will only escalate until the Alliance fully transforms Baltic air policing into Baltic air defence, rotational air defense models become a reality and Estern Sentry comes up and running 24/7.”
European Council president Antonio Costa said EU leaders would address its collective response to Russia’s incursion on 1 October.
The European Union stands firmly in solidarity with 🇪🇪.
Today’s violation of Estonian airspace by three Russian military aircraft is another unacceptable provocation.
It underscores yet again the urgent need to reinforce our Eastern flank, deepen European defence cooperation,…
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has accused Russia of showing “contempt for diplomacy and international law” as she laid out the bloc’s 19th set of proposed sanctions on the country.
Italian Air Force F-35 fighter jets, currently deployed as part of the Nato Baltic Air Policing Mission, responded to Russia’s violation of Estonian airspace, according to the statement.
The Russian MIG-31 fighters entered Estonian airspace in the area of Vaindloo Island, which is a small island located in the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea, the Estonian military said in a separate statement.
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