Estonia Accuses Russia of Airspace Violation by Fighter Jets
NATO on alert after three Russian MiG-31s allegedly breach Estonian territory near Gulf of Finland.
Estonia has accused Russia of violating its airspace after three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets reportedly flew over Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland for about 12 minutes without authorization.
According to Estonia’s defence ministry, the jets lacked flight plans, had their transponders switched off, and ignored communications from air traffic control. NATO’s Baltic Air Policing Mission scrambled Italian F-35s to intercept them.
Moscow has denied the allegation, saying the aircraft flew in neutral airspace. Estonia has summoned a Russian diplomat in protest and invoked Article 4 of the NATO treaty to raise the issue at alliance level.
Analysts warn the incident underscores growing risks of miscalculation amid heightened NATO-Russia tensions.
Source: The Guardian
