Three Russian fighter jets flew into a NATO member’s airspace without permission in what officials called an ‘unprecedentedly brutal’ escalation
Vladimir Putin has sent three fighter jets into a NATO member’s airspace in an “unprecedentedly brutal” escalation.
The MIG-31 jets entered Estonia’s airspace on Friday morning without permission from the NATO member. These Russia aircraft reportedly flew over the Vaindloo Island area and stayed in Estonian airspace for 12 minutes. The jets did not have two-way radio communication with local air traffic controllers and their transponders turned off.
Officials in Estonia blasted Putin’s government for the violation and marked the incursion “unprecedentedly brutal”. NATO confirmed the organisation intercepted the aircraft, saying: “Earlier today, Russian jets violated Estonian airspace. Nato responded immediately and intercepted the Russian aircraft. This is yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour and Nato’s ability to respond.”
The country’s Prime Minister, Kristen Michal, said he could invoke NATO’s Article 4, which calls for discussions among allies over threats to territorial security. Michal, on X, wrote: “This morning, 3 Russian Mig-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace. NATO fighters responded and the Russian planes were forced to flee. Such violation is totally unacceptable. The Government of Estonia has decided to request NATO Article 4 consultations.”
US President Donald Trump has hit out at Russia following the audacious incident, telling reporters he will shortly be briefed on the matter. The US Commander-in-chief said: “I don’t love it I don’t like when that happens. It could be big trouble, but I’ll let you know later.”
Estonia’s Foreign Minister, Margus Tsahkna, said Russian diplomats had been summoned following the shocking escalation, ERR reports.
Tsahkna said: “Russia has violated Estonian airspace four times already this year, which in itself is unacceptable, but today’s violation, during which three fighter jets entered our airspace, is unprecedentedly brutal.
“Russia’s increasing border testing and aggression must be met with rapid reinforcement of political and economic pressure.” The Kremlin has continued to taunt NATO member states through a series of aggressive acts.
The Kremlin has allegedly threatened Finland, another NATO member, with a coordinated information campaign in recent days, similar to the one that came before the barbaric invasion of Ukraine. The Institute for the Study of War has warned recent verbal attacks by key officials in Moscow against Finland could be Russia laying the groundworks for an offensive.
Putin’s puppet Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday claimed Finland’s “neutral veneer peeled off”. Another Putin mouthpiece, Sergei Ivanov, said Finland was “actively calling for strengthening [its] eastern border”. The NATO nation is working on turning its border area with Russia into a swampland to fight off any threats or possible invasions as Putin’s war machine becomes a greater threat.
Russian drones were shot down last Wednesday after crossing into Polish airspace, in another incursion into NATO territory. The UK government slapped new sanctions on Moscow following last week’s violation.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “The UK will not stand idly by as Putin continues his barbaric invasion of Ukraine. His complete disregard for sovereignty has been shown this week when he recklessly sent drones into NATO airspace.”
Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that it marked a terrifying step towards conflict with the Russian dictator. He said: “This situation brings us the closest we have been to open conflict since World War Two.”
Last week’s incident marked the first time Russian drones were downed over NATO territory since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. In response to the incursion, Warsaw invoked NATO’s Article 4, which calls for discussions among allies over threats to territorial security. This is a step short of Article 5, which requires collective military defence from allies if a member state is attacked.
Tensions between the Kremlin and the West have continued to rise as one of Putin’s spokesmen claimed NATO countries are “at war with Russia” over Ukraine.
Dmitry Peskov, speaking to Russian state media on Monday, said: “NATO is at war with Russia. This is obvious, and it does not require any additional evidence. NATO provides direct and indirect support to the Kyiv regime.”