Baltic Tensions Rise After Russian Fighter Jets Violate Estonian Skies
On September 19, three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace for several minutes, provoking a sharp reaction from Tallinn and Brussels.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to Reuters.
According to Estonian officials, the planes had no flight plans, flew with their transponders turned off, and did not maintain contact with air traffic controllers, making the incident particularly dangerous.
The intrusion lasted about 12 minutes and was an “unprecedentedly brazen” violation. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stressed that this was the fourth such incident this year, but the first time Russian planes had acted so demonstratively. NATO responded quickly by scrambling fighter jets to intercept them.
Moscow denies the violation, claiming that its planes flew over neutral waters in the Baltic Sea on a route from northwestern Russia to Kaliningrad. At the same time, Poland reported another incident — Russian planes flying near a drilling platform in the Baltic Sea.
European leaders reacted harshly to the violation of Estonian airspace by Russian fighter jets. EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas called the incident a deliberate provocation, and Tallinn summoned a Russian diplomat and handed him a note of protest.
“We will respond to every provocation with determination while investing in a stronger Eastern flank,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on social media platform X.
Prime Minister Kristjan Michal confirmed that Estonia would request consultations under Article 4 of the NATO Treaty, as the aircraft had entered 9 km into Alliance airspace before being intercepted by Italian F-35s.
Ukraine supported Estonia, calling the incursion an unacceptable act of destabilization and calling for joint and decisive action.
“Today’s incursion of three Russian fighter jets into Estonian airspace is another Russian escalation and a direct threat to transatlantic security... Russia must face crushing political and economic pressure,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated.
The incident took place amid growing tensions over the war in Ukraine and the recent Zapad 2025 joint military exercises, during which Russia and Belarus practiced scenarios involving the use of nuclear weapons.
The US has been cautious in its comments on the situation, although President Donald Trump acknowledged that it “could be big trouble.” The incident was yet another sign that Moscow is testing NATO's readiness and determination to respond to provocations.
As The Gaze informed earlier, NATO launched operation Eastern Sentry to strengthen the defense of Europe's eastern flank after Russian drones invaded Polish airspace earlier this week.