The Estonian government stated that Estonia requested immediate consultations with Nato after three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets crossed into its airspace over the Gulf of Finland on Friday for a total of 12 minutes without authorization. This is the 5th Russian violation of Estonian airspace this year and comes amid increasing tensions on Nato’s eastern flank.
Nato’s Article 4 states that the 32-member alliance shall convene to discuss urgent security issues, providing an opportunity for shared consultation. Poland also activated Article 4 earlier this month after being violated by Russian drones in its airspace. According to Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, we need a “united and strong” response from Nato, and consultations with our allies are vital to providing ourselves with a shared situational picture, and to prepare a coordinated response.
Italian, Finnish, and Swedish jets were launched to intercept the Russian aircraft. Finnish jets engaged the aircraft out in the Gulf of Finland, then Italian F-35s stationed in Estonia under Nato’s Baltic Air Policing mission escorted the jets out of the airspace. The Estonian government stated that the Russian aircraft had no flight plans filed, had their transponders off, and had no communication with air traffic control.
Russia has denied that its aircraft violated Estonian airspace, stating that the planes were flying on a “scheduled flight” above neutral waters in the Baltic Sea, and more than 2 miles from Estonia’s Vaindloo Island. Russia also stated that the flights were conducted in accordance with international requirements.
These flights follow prior incidents involving incursions into Poland and Romania, which prompted Nato to move troops and fighter jets east. US President Donald Trump warned, “could be big trouble,” and described part of the global unease with Russia’s provocations about the ongoing war in Ukraine.
