Estonias Urgent Call for NATO Support Following Provocative Russian Airspace Violation

On Friday, Estonia reported that three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets intruded into its airspace over the Gulf of Finland, prompting the EU and NATO to express concerns about a worrying provocation. Moscow, however, refuted these claims.

Italian F-35 aircraft, part of NATO’s air defense support mission in the Baltic region, were dispatched to intercept the Russian fighters and issue warnings, according to officials from Estonia and Italy. NATO chief Mark Rutte commended the «swift and resolute action.»

Additionally, Sweden and Finland deployed their rapid response aircraft, as stated by a spokesperson from the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE).

In light of these events, Estonia urgently called for discussions with its NATO allies, coming less than two weeks after Poland made a similar request following an incident involving a wave of Russian drones.

NATO representatives in Brussels indicated that these discussions could commence «at the start of next week.»

This reported violation by Russia occurs as tensions continue to escalate along NATO’s eastern border, with Poland recently asserting that approximately 20 Russian drones had crossed into its airspace—a claim the Kremlin denied.

According to the Estonian defense forces, «Three Russian MiG-31 fighters entered Estonian airspace in the vicinity of Vaindloo Island without authorization and remained in that area for around 12 minutes.»

The military went on to state that the fighters did not have designated flight plans, their transponders were deactivated, and there was no two-way radio communication with Estonia’s air traffic control during the incursion.

Allison Hart, a spokesperson for NATO, characterized the incident as «another example of reckless Russian conduct and NATO’s capacity to respond.»

In response, Russia’s Defense Ministry stated that the MiGs were engaged in a «scheduled flight» from Karelia, bordering Finland, to an airfield in Kaliningrad, an exclave isolated by Lithuania and Poland. They asserted that «the Russian aircraft adhered to the designated route and did not violate Estonian airspace,» claiming they flew over «neutral waters of the Baltic Sea, more than three kilometers from Vaindloo Island.»

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal announced plans to «request consultations under NATO Article 4» concerning the «unacceptable» airspace breach, marking the second invocation of this clause from a member nation in less than two weeks. Article 4 allows a NATO member to call for urgent discussions when it perceives a threat to its «territorial integrity, political independence, or security.»

After intercepting what it believed to be Russian drones on September 9, Warsaw also invoked Article 4. Romania reported a related incident shortly thereafter.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose country is currently at war with Russia, accused Russia of intentionally intensifying its «destabilizing activities» through various airspace violations in Poland, Romania, and Estonia.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen remarked, «As threats rise, so too will our response,» earlier presenting a new package of sanctions aimed at Moscow in connection with the Ukraine conflict.

Italy took command of the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission—Operation Baltic Eagle III—on August 1, with its F-35 aircraft tasked with monitoring the Baltic air region.

As the war in Ukraine continues, Russia has frequently tested Western air defenses; however, Estonia noted that recent operations have become increasingly provocative.

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated, «Russia has breached Estonian airspace four times this year, which is already unacceptable. Yet today’s incursion is remarkably bold.» He emphasized that «Russia’s ongoing boundary testing and escalating aggressiveness must be met with a decisive increase in political and economic pressure.»

Tsahkna also indicated that Estonia summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires to the foreign ministry to lodge a formal complaint.

Earlier this month, Estonia had reported another violation by a Russian MI-8 helicopter near Vaindloo Island, which entered Estonian airspace for about four minutes without any contact with air traffic control.

That helicopter, too, did not have a flight plan, had its transponder switched off, and did not communicate with Estonia’s air traffic control—similar incidents were reported on May 13 and June 22.

Last week, Poland, along with its Italian and Dutch NATO allies, scrambled jets to intercept approximately 20 Russian drones in its airspace, some of which were shot down.

Additionally, the U.K., Germany, and France announced plans to bolster joint air patrols with an increased number of aircraft along NATO’s eastern front.