Russian warplanes intercepted over Estonian airspace, EU calls it ‘dangerous provocation’ | World News

NATO on Friday said that it responded immediately and intercepted Russian jets that violated Estonian airspace. According to the Estonian government, three Russian fighter jets flew into its airspace near Vaindloo Island, in the Gulf of Finland, on Friday.
The Russian MiG-31 fighter jets were in the Estonian airspace for a total of 12 minutes without permission and were intercepted Italian F-35s stationed in Estonia.
“Russia has already violated Estonia’s airspace four times this year, which in itself is unacceptable. But today’s incursion, involving three fighter aircraft entering our airspace, is unprecedentedly brazen,” Foreign Miner Margus Tsahkna said in a statement.
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“Russia’s increasingly extensive testing of boundaries and growing aggressiveness must be met with a swift increase in political and economic pressure,” he added.
NATO termed the airspace violation a “dangerous provocation”.
A NATO spokesperson said the Russian jets “violated Estonian airspace” and “NATO responded immediately and intercepted the Russian aircraft”.
“This is yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour and NATO’s ability to respond.”
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “We will respond to every provocation with determination while investing in a stronger Eastern flank.”Story continues below this ad
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called it a dangerous provocation.
“Today’s violation of Estonia’s airspace Russian military aircraft is an extremely dangerous provocation. This marks the third such violation of EU airspace in days and further escalates tensions in the region. The EU stands in full solidarity with Estonia. I am in close contact with the Estonian government. We will continue to support our member states in strengthening their defences with European resources. Putin is testing the West’s resolve. We must not show weakness,” she said on X.
This is the third time in recent days that Russia has violated the airspace of a NATO member country. On Sunday, Romania said a drone breached its airspace during a Russian attack on neighbouring Ukraine.
Earlier, on September 9, around two dozen Russian drones entered Poland’s airspace, triggering a quick response from the Polish Air Force and other NATO militaries, which scrambled aircraft.