Russia flew three fighter jets into neighbouring Estonia today in a ‘reckless’ and ‘brazen’ attempt to intimidate the Baltic state.
The powerful MiG-31 warplanes spent 12 minutes violating Estonian airspace as they conducted combat operations to test the country’s defences.
The move sparked an emergency response from Nato, which sent in F-35 fighters to intercept the Russian aggression.
In another provocative move by Vladimir Putin, two Russian jets demonstrated a show of force over a Polish oil platform in the Baltic Sea, violating its safety zone.
This occurred as MI6 chief Sir Richard Moore criticized the Russian president, labeling him a ‘liar’ who seeks to ‘enforce his imperial will by all available means’.
The violation was denounced by European leaders. A NATO spokesman remarked: ‘This illustrates yet another instance of reckless Russian conduct and NATO’s readiness to respond.’
Estonian foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna, said Russia had already entered Estonian airspace four times this year.
He continued: ‘This is unacceptable by itself, but today’s breach, involving three fighter jets entering our airspace, is unprecedentedly audacious. Russia’s increasing border tests and hostility require a swift escalation of political and economic pressure.’
The powerful Russian MiG-31 warplanes (seen above in this file image) spent 12 minutes violating Estonian airspace
A Russian MIG-31 fighter is seen flying above the Baltic Sea after violating Estonian airspace on September 19
The prime minister of Estonia, Kristen Michal, said his government had ‘decided to request Nato Article 4 consultations’.
Article 4 is a call to the 32-member Nato alliance, including the US, to come to consult on collective defence in response to specific threats.
The incident follows a week after Kremlin drones flew over 100 miles into Poland on a reconnaissance mission, revealing vulnerabilities in NATO defenses.
Estonia became the third member state to be ‘invaded’ by Russia in just a month after an incursion into Romanian aerial territory last weekend.
The latest incident comes after US President Donald Trump said Vladimir Putin had ‘really let him down’ over Ukraine.
While the incursions into Poland and Romania were by drones, this time Russia sent manned frontline jets bristling with weapons.
Italian F-35s were scrambled to intercept the MiG-31s which then returned to Kremlin airspace. They had encroached five miles inside Estonia.
Subsequently, Estonia summoned Russian representatives in Tallinn for an explanation. The Russian chargé d’affaires received a protest note, according to a ministry statement.
MI6 chief Sir Richard Moore (above) has labelled Vladimir Putin a ‘liar’ who wants to ‘impose his imperial will by all means at his disposal’
The Russian MiG-31 fighters entered Estonian airspace in the area of Vaindloo Island, located in the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea. The aircraft did not have flight plans and their transponders were turned off, according to Estonian officials.
Separately, Russian planes flew parallel to the Estonian border from east to west and did not head toward the country’s capital Tallinn.
In another intimidating move today, two Russian jets conducted a low pass over the Polish-owned Petrobaltic offshore production facility in the Baltic. Polish armed forces were alerted as the platform’s safety zone was violated.
Other alliance countries have reported similar incursions and drone crashes on their territory. The developments have increasingly rattled European governments as US-led efforts to stop the war in Ukraine have come to nothing.
Estonia, along with other Baltic states Lithuania and Latvia, are seen as being among the most likely targets if Russia one day decides to risk an attack on Nato.
Neighbouring Poland, though much larger, also feels vulnerable. All four countries are staunch supporters of Ukraine.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, called Friday’s incursion ‘an extremely dangerous provocation’ that ‘further escalates tensions in the region’.
Ms Kallas, who is Estonian, said the EU will ‘continue to support our member states in strengthening their defences with European resources.’ She added that Putin was ‘testing the West’s resolve’ and said ‘we must not show weakness’.
Estonia has requested a NATO Article 4 consultation over Russia’s incursion into its airspace (Pictured: A Russian jet flying above the Baltic Sea on September 19)
Russia’s latest move comes a week after Kremlin drones (remnants of which are seen above on September 10) flew more than 100 miles inside Poland on a reconnaissance mission
Lithuanian defence minister Dovile Sakaliene said Nato’s border in the north east of Europe was being tested ‘for a reason’. She added: ‘We need to mean business.’
Former Lithuanian foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis also weighed in on the row.
He said: ‘Russia escalates, we do nothing, Russia escalates more, we do nothing, Russia escalates even more, we do nothing… I think I am starting to see a pattern here.’
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky described the menace as ‘outrageous’ and insisted it was ‘not an accident’.
He added: ‘It requires a systemic response. Strong action must be taken – both collectively and individually by each nation.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper posted on social media that the UK ‘stands with our Estonian allies’.
The Kremlin has not commented on the incident.
