NATO intercepts three Russian warplanes violating Estonian airspace

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) says itintercepted three Russian warplanes violating Estonia’s airspace. Estonia, a NATO member, said the flyover which happenedFriday was “brazen”. The Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered the airspace overthe Gulf of Finland and remained there for 12 minutes, the Estonian foreignministry said. The ministry has summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires overthe violation. “This is an unprecedented and brazen intrusion – clear proofof Russia’s growing aggression,” Margus Tsahkna, Estonian minister of foreignaffairs, said. Tsahkna said such actions would not be tolerated and calledfor “swift political and economic pressure”. Allison Hart, the NATO spokesperson, said the militaryalliance “responded immediately and intercepted the Russian aircraft”. Hart called it “yet another example of reckless Russianbehaviour”. Tensions between the military alliance and the Europeancountry have risen since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. However, recentviolations have amplified this pressure. Estonia is the latest NATO member country to report airspaceincursion by Russian jets and drones after Poland and Romania reported similarincidents last week. NATO fighter jets shot down multiple Russian drones thatviolated the Polish airspace during an attack on neighbouring Ukraine. Kaja Kallas, EU high representative for foreign affairs andsecurity policy, said Friday’s airspace violation was an “extremely dangerousprovocation” from Russia. “Putin is testing the West’s resolve. We must not showweakness,” Kallas added. Kallas, who is also the vice president of the EuropeanCommission (EU), noted that she was in close contact with the Estoniangovernment. She added that the commission would continue to support itsmember states in strengthening their defences with European resources. The Russian government has yet to comment on thedevelopment.

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