NATO Investigates Russian Airspace Violation Over Estonia Amid Heightened Tensions

Estonian officials are confirming that Russian fighter jets violated their airspace on Friday, ignoring repeated signals from Italian NATO pilots. The 12-minute incursion marks the latest challenge to NATO’s Baltic Air Policing Mission, following a similar incident where Russian drones entered Polish airspace just weeks prior.

Tallinn reported three Russian MIG-31 fighter jets crossed into its territory without permission between 9:58 AM and 10:10 AM local time near Vaindloo island. Despite Russia’s Defense Ministry denying the violation, Estonian authorities dismiss the claim, citing radar and visual confirmation. Colonel Ants Kiviselg, commander of Estonia’s Military Intelligence Center, stated that while the pilots acknowledged communication, they failed to follow instructions, contributing to the prolonged presence in Estonian airspace. He also suggested that the violation, the fourth this year, could be a tactic to divert Western resources from Ukraine.

The Russian jets, en route from Petrozavodsk to Kaliningrad, were initially tracked by Finnish fighters before being escorted by Italian F-35s from Estonia’s Ämari Air Base. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna called the incident a “very serious violation of NATO airspace,” drawing parallels to a 2003 incursion before Estonia joined the alliance. Estonia plans to request consultations under Article 4 of NATO’s treaty, a mechanism previously used by Poland after its airspace was breached by Russian drones.

While Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė referenced Turkey’s decisive action against a Russian jet in 2015, Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur clarified that the situations were different, emphasizing that no military threat warranted shooting down the aircraft. Pevkur also suggested that Moscow’s actions, including airspace violations and alleged hybrid warfare tactics, aim to provoke NATO nations into boosting their own defenses at the expense of supporting Ukraine.

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