Estonia has formally requested urgent consultations with NATO allies after three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated its airspace on Friday, escalating tensions along the alliance’s eastern flank.
According to Estonian officials, the Russian aircraft entered the country’s airspace over the Gulf of Finland “without permission and remained there for a total of 12 minutes.” The jets reportedly flew in from the northeast, with no flight plans, transponders turned off, and no radio communication with Estonian air traffic control.
In response, NATO scrambled jets from Italy, Finland, and Sweden under its Baltic Air Policing mission. Italian F-35s based in Estonia escorted the Russian aircraft out of the country’s airspace, while Finnish jets intercepted them earlier over the Gulf of Finland.
A NATO spokesperson condemned the incursion, calling it “yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour and NATO’s ability to respond.” The incident marks the fifth airspace violation by Russian military aircraft over Estonia this year.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence denied the breach, claiming the jets were on a “scheduled flight… in strict compliance with international airspace regulations” and flew over neutral Baltic waters more than 3km from Estonia’s Vaindloo Island.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “NATO’s response to any provocation must be united and strong. We consider it essential to consult with our allies to ensure shared situational awareness and to agree on our next joint steps.”
The invocation of Article 4 of the NATO treaty initiates formal consultations among the alliance’s 32 member states. It is the second such request this month, following Poland’s appeal on September 10 after Russian drones reportedly entered its airspace.
The latest incident adds to a growing list of airspace violations involving NATO members. Romania also recently reported incursions by Russian drones, further heightening regional concerns.
U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in on the situation Friday, saying, “I don’t love it. I don’t like when that happens. Could be big trouble.”
Estonia, which shares a border with Russia, has been a vocal advocate for stronger NATO deterrence measures in the region. The country’s leaders warn that repeated violations risk undermining European security and demand a coordinated response.
As consultations begin, NATO faces renewed pressure to reinforce its eastern defenses and confront what many see as a deliberate pattern of provocation by Moscow.
