NATO has intercepted three MiG-31 Russian fighter jets that violated Estonia’s airspace over the Baltic Sea during a 12-minute incursion.
Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s top diplomat and former Estonia prime minister between 2021 and 2024, accused Russia of an “extremely dangerous provocation” and said this latest breach of NATO airspace marked an escalation of tensions in the region.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, reiterated the EU’s support for Estonia and warned that every such “provocation” would be met with a firm response.
Tensions with Russia have been mounting since last week, following the flight of Russian drones over Poland’s airspace. A spokesperson for the military alliance described the incident as “yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour.“
Estonian Defence Forces said the Russian aircraft were intercepted on Friday by Italian F-35 Lightning II fighter jets based at Ämari Air Base, west of the capital, Tallinn.
Margus Tsahkna, Estonia’s foreign minister, said: “Russia has already violated Estonia’s airspace four times this year, which in itself is unacceptable. But today’s incursion is unprecedentedly brazen. Russia’s increasingly extensive testing of boundaries and growing aggressiveness must be met with a swift increase in political and economic pressure.“
