NATO has issued a statement after Russia sent three MIG-31 jets into Estonia’s airspace on Friday morning without permission in a latest provocation amid rising tensions
NATO has warned Russia that “we will defend ourselves” using “all necessary military tools” after it sent three fighter jets into Estonia’s airspace in a latest provocative step.
Estonia summoned a senior Russian diplomat to protest the incursion of three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets that entered its airspace without clearance on Friday. The Russian aircraft reportedly flew over the Vaindloo Island area and stayed in Estonian airspace for 12 minutes.
“We do not want to see a continuation of this dangerous behaviour from Russia, and we stand ready to defend every inch of NATO territory,” said NATO chief Mark Rutte said. He added: “If necessary, we will shoot down a fighter jet.”
A meeting of NATO North Atlantic Council was held today following the incursion to “strongly condemn Russia’s dangerous violation of Estonian airspace on 19 September”. A statement from NATO said its response was “quick and decisive” with allied aircraft “scrambled to intercept and escort them from Estonian airspace”.
And it made clear that the provocations “must stop” or else Russia must be prepared to face the consequences.
A NATO statement read: “This incursion is part of a wider pattern of increasingly irresponsible Russian behaviour.
“This is the second time in two weeks that the North Atlantic Council has met under Article 4. On 10 September, the Council held consultations in response to the large-scale violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones.
“Several other Allies – including Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Romania – have also recently experienced airspace violations by Russia. We express our full solidarity with all Allies whose airspace has been breached.
“Russia bears full responsibility for these actions, which are escalatory, risk miscalculation and endanger lives. They must stop.” It continued by saying that NATO will use all “military and non-military tools” as a defence against Russia.
“NATO’s response to Russia’s reckless actions will continue to be robust,” it said. “On 12 September, we launched “Eastern Sentry” to bolster NATO’s posture along the entire Eastern flank. We will reinforce our capabilities and strengthen our deterrence and defence posture, including through effective air defence.
“Russia should be in no doubt: NATO and Allies will employ, in accordance with international law, all necessary military and non-military tools to defend ourselves and deter all threats from all directions. We will continue to respond in the manner, timing, and domain of our choosing. Our commitment to Article 5 is ironclad.”
NATO also made it clear that it would continue to support Ukraine and would not be intimidated by Russia.
“Allies will not be deterred by these and other irresponsible acts by Russia from their enduring commitments to support Ukraine, whose security contributes to ours, in the exercise of its inherent right to self-defence against Russia’s brutal and unprovoked war of aggression,” it stated.
The Russian fighter jets crossed into Estonian territory near Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland, flying without transponders or flight plans and ignoring two-way radio communications with Estonian air traffic control. Italian F-35 jets, deployed as part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing Mission, were scrambled to intercept the intruding aircraft.
Afterwards Estonia’s foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna, called the incident “unprecedentedly brazen,” noting that Russia has violated Estonian airspace four times this year, but never on such a scale.
The statement from NATO came after Estonia requested formal consultations under Article 4 that requires a meeting whenever one of the alliance members believes its territorial integrity, political independence or security is threatened.
On Monday, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that Poland would “without discussion” shoot down flying objects when they violate Polish territory.