NATO forces intercepted three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets on Friday after they violated Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland, according to the Estonian Foreign Ministry and a NATO spokesperson, CNN reported.
The Russian aircraft entered Estonia without authorization and remained in its airspace for nearly 12 minutes. Italian F-35s deployed in Estonia under NATO’s Eastern Sentry operation, joined by Swedish and Finnish jets, quickly responded to the incursion, NATO Allied Command Operations confirmed.
Estonian Prime Minister Krisen Michal said the Russian jets were “forced to flee,” while NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte praised the alliance’s “quick and decisive” action.
In response, Estonia invoked NATO’s Article 4, calling the breach “totally unacceptable.” NATO spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed that the North Atlantic Council will meet early next week to discuss the matter. Article 4 allows any NATO member to seek consultations if its territorial integrity, political independence, or security is threatened. Poland had similarly triggered Article 4 last week after Russian drones and jets violated its airspace.
Following the incident, Estonia summoned Russia’s charge d’affaires. Hours later, Poland’s border guard reported that two Russian jets conducted a “low-level pass” over a Baltic Sea oil platform owned by Polish company Petrobaltic. Polish authorities assured that security services are closely monitoring the situation.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna condemned Moscow’s repeated provocations, noting that Russia has already violated Estonian airspace four times this year. “But today’s incursion, involving three fighter aircraft, is unprecedentedly brazen. Russia’s growing aggressiveness must be met with stronger political and economic pressure,” Tsahkna said.
Romania’s Foreign Minister Oana Toiu also weighed in, saying she had spoken with her Estonian counterpart. “It is unacceptable. Russia is attempting to undermine NATO’s coherence, but instead, it is strengthening our unity,” Toiu told CNN.
