Estonians call for NATO-4

Russian fighter jets intrude into EU airspace

Three Russian MiG-31 aircraft flew unauthorized in Estonian airspace for twelve minutes.(Bild: EPA/RUSSIAN DEFENCE MINISTRY PRESS SERVICE / HANDOUT)

Russia is apparently testing the limits of what is possible with several incidents involving its MiG-31 fighter jets on Friday. After three jets entered Estonian airspace without authorization, two more flew low into the security zone over a Polish oil platform in the Baltic Sea.

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna spoke of an "unprecedentedly brazen intrusion". He emphasized that Russia had already violated Estonian airspace four times this year. However, the current incident was particularly serious, as three fighter jets were involved.

"Russia's increasing testing of its borders and its aggressiveness must be responded to with a rapid intensification of political and economic pressure," the minister demanded. 

Estonians want consultations with NATO partners
Estonia is definitely not taking the incident lightly. As Prime Minister Kristen Michal announced on X (formerly Twitter), the country is requesting consultations in accordance with Article 4 of the NATO treaty. The article provides for consultations between the alliance partners if a member state considers its security to be under threat.

NATO aircraft had to take off
According to the Estonian government, the planes had no flight plans, their transponders were switched off and they were not in radio contact with air traffic control. The Russian aircraft only withdrew after the take-off of Italian F-35 jets on behalf of NATO.

The countries bordering Russia - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - do not have their own fighter jets. The NATO allies therefore take it in turns to secure the Baltic airspace.

The Estonian Foreign Ministry handed a note of protest to the chargé d'affaires of the Russian embassy on the same day. The incident is seen as a serious escalation on the alliance's eastern flank.

Jets also fly just above Polish platform
According to the Polish border guard, two Russian fighter jets also entered the safety zone of a drilling platform in the Baltic Sea on Friday. The Polish armed forces were informed, according to the authorities on X. The jets flew low over the Petrobaltic drilling platform. The platform's security zone was breached in the process. The border guard speaks of provocative behavior by Russia.

The next Russian provocation
The airspace violations occurred just a few days after more than 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace. Western representatives had declared that Moscow was testing NATO's resolve. Tsahkna called for a rapid intensification of political and economic pressure on Russia.