“unprecedentedly Brazen” – Three Russian Migs Invade Estonian (nato) Airspace

NATO forces intercepted 3 Russian MiG-31 combatant jets that violated Estonian airspace complete nan Gulf of Finland for 12 minutes connected Friday, September 19, successful what Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna called an “unprecedentedly brazen” incursion.

The jets, tin of carrying Russia’s Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, reportedly flew toward Tallinn, further escalating tensions betwixt Russia and nan NATO alliance.

Estonia’s overseas ministry has summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires to lodge a general protest, making this nan 5th Russian usurpation of Estonian airspace successful 2025. Tsahkna condemned Russia’s “ever-increasing testing of nan country’s separator controls and aggressiveness,” urging accelerated governmental and economical pressure. Italian F-35s, deployed nether NATO’s Baltic Air Policing Mission astatine Ämari, were scrambled to repel nan jets, which had their transponders off, according to Estonian media.

Brazen Russian MiGs complete Estonia dubbed “extremely vulnerable provocation”

NATO spokesperson Allison Hart called nan incident “yet different illustration of reckless Russian behaviour,” reaffirming nan accelerated consequence of nan alliance. Kaja Kallas, nan EU’s precocious typical for overseas affairs and an Estonian national, labelled it “an highly vulnerable provocation” connected X, stressing that Russian President Vladimir Putin is testing Western resolve. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said thing akin and pledged a stronger NATO eastbound flank.

The incursion follows a bid of Russian violations of NATO airspace. Recently, Poland’s subject abnormal 4 of astatine slightest 20 Russian drones that breached its airspace, immoderate penetrating 260 kilometres inland. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that Poland is person to subject conflict than astatine immoderate clip since World War II. Romania besides reported a Russian drone briefly entering its airspace earlier later disappearing from radar.

Russia & Belarus declare drones an accident, but nary remark connected MiGs complete Estonia

Russia has not commented connected nan Estonian incident, though it claimed nan Polish drone incursions were unintentional, claiming navigation jamming. Belarus, a Russian ally, repeated this explanation. Meanwhile, Russia and Belarus precocious conducted associated Zapad subject exercises, simulating a defence against a hypothetical NATO invasion, moreover further expanding tensions.

An RAF root described that 12-minute incursion arsenic “hardly an accident,” saying that specified a long suggests intent. Britain’s ambassador to nan OSCE, Neil Holland, called Russia’s actions “deeply concerning and reckless.” As NATO strengthens its defences, nan confederation faces increasing intimidation successful countering Russia’s provocative manoeuvres on its borders.