Tensions flared on NATO’s eastern flank Friday after Estonia accused Russia of brazenly violating its airspace, prompting swift military and diplomatic responses.
Estonia’s foreign ministry said three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered its airspace “without permission and remained there for a total of 12 minutes” over the Gulf of Finland.
The ministry described the incursion as a deliberate provocation and announced it had formally requested consultations with fellow NATO allies under Article 4 of the alliance’s treaty, which allows members to convene when their security is threatened.
A NATO spokesperson confirmed the incident and said allied forces “responded immediately and intercepted the Russian aircraft.” The spokesperson condemned the act as “yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour and NATO’s ability to respond swiftly to protect allied airspace.”
In a coordinated reaction, jets from Italy, Finland and Sweden scrambled under NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, a long-running operation aimed at bolstering security along the alliance’s eastern frontier.
Moscow, however, rejected Estonia’s claims. Russia’s defence ministry insisted that its aircraft had conducted routine training flights “in strict compliance with international regulations” and had not entered foreign airspace.
