'Estonia Calls on NATO After Bold Airspace Violation by Russian Jets'

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Estonia has criticized Moscow following the unauthorized entry of three Russian fighter jets into its airspace, shortly after NATO aircraft intercepted Russian drones in Polish territory.

The incursion, described by Estonia’s government as an “unprecedentedly brazen” act, marks the latest in a line of aggressive military maneuvers by Russia that have unsettled the NATO alliance.

The Russian defence ministry has denied any breach of Estonian airspace, asserting that their planes flew over neutral waters.

The incursion heightened existing tensions amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, only days after more than 20 Russian drones breached Polish airspace during the night of September 9 and 10.

That prompted NATO jets to down some of them and Western officials to say Russia was testing the alliance’s readiness and resolve.

It also occurred three days after Russia and Belarus ended their “Zapad-2025” joint military exercises, which included the rehearsal of the launch of Russian nuclear weapons.

Tallinn said the three MiG-31 fighter jets entered the Baltic country’s airspace without permission on Friday and stayed for 12 minutes before they were forced to withdraw, during which time the high-speed aircraft could have traversed broad swaths of the country.

Margus Tsahkna, Estonia’s foreign minister, stated, “Russia has violated Estonian airspace four times this year already, which is unacceptable; however, the latest violation, involving three fighter planes, is exceptionally bold.”

A middle-aged white man speaking in front of several microphones.

Estonia’s foreign minister Margus Tsahkna said the incursion was “unprecedentedly brazen”. Source: AP / Virginia Mayo

Russian jets routinely fly over the Baltic Sea between mainland Russia and its exclave of Kaliningrad.

Russia denies wrongdoing

The Russian defence ministry on Saturday said its jets flew over neutral waters of the Baltic Sea from northwest Russia to Kaliningrad.

“The flight was carried out in strict conformity with international rules governing airspace with no violation of the borders of other states as is confirmed by independent checks,” the ministry posted on Telegram.

“The Russian aircraft did not deviate from the agreed flight path and did not violate Estonian airspace.”

Trump not briefed

US President Donald Trump said he had not been briefed on the incident but expected he would be later.

“I don’t love it. I don’t like when that happens,” Trump told reporters when asked if he saw the incursion by Russian jets as a threat to NATO.

“Could be big trouble. I’ll let you know later.”

The Trump administration is under scrutiny for its muted response to the drone incidents in Poland, which has caused concern among NATO members who doubt its dedication to their defense should Russia launch an attack.

NATO: ‘Reckless Russian behaviour’

NATO said the incident “is yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour”, but a spokesperson on X said it also showed NATO’s ability to respond.

European leaders reacted swiftly to the Russian jet incident on Friday, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who previously served as Estonia’s prime minister, commenting: “This was no accident.”

Estonia said it had summoned the top Russian diplomat in the country to lodge a protest.

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said his country would ask NATO to open consultations under Article 4 of the alliance’s treaty, and that the Russian jets flew about 9km into NATO airspace before Italian F-35s, stationed at a base in Estonia, pushed them out.

Article 4 states that members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territory, political independence or security of any of them is threatened.