Russia has denied violating Estonian airspace after NATO said three of its fighter jets were intercepted near the Baltic state.
Russia’s defence ministry said the MiG-31 aircraft were on a “scheduled flight” from Karelia to Kaliningrad on Thursday and insisted the route complied with international aviation rules.
In a statement, Moscow claimed: “The flight was conducted in strict accordance with the International Rules for the Use of Airspace, without violating the borders of other states, as confirmed by objective monitoring means.”
NATO, however, offered a sharply different version of events. The alliance confirmed its air policing units were scrambled to intercept the Russian jets after they entered Estonian airspace for around 12 minutes without clearance.
“This is yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour and NATO’s ability to respond,” a spokesperson said.
Understanding Russia’s Military Activities in the Baltic Region
Estonian authorities said the incident took place close to Vaindloo Island, a small outpost in the Gulf of Finland, where airspace incursions have been reported before.
It marks the third time in recent weeks that Russian military aircraft have been accused of crossing into NATO-controlled skies.
US President Donald Trump described the reports as “concerning”, telling reporters in Washington: “This could be big trouble.”
Baltic governments have long warned of increased Russian activity in the region and regularly accuse Moscow of using such flights to test NATO’s defences.
Western officials say Russian military planes often fly without submitting flight plans or activating transponders, raising the risk of accidents.
But defence analysts argue the repeated incidents are part of Moscow’s strategy to probe NATO’s eastern flank and gather intelligence on allied responses.
In his statement, Russian defence officials rejected the suggestion of a deliberate provocation, describing the flight as routine.
Estonia’s government has not yet commented publicly, but NATO allies are expected to raise the issue in upcoming security discussions.
The alliance has increased its air policing presence in the Baltic since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, rotating aircraft from member states to monitor the region.
Military experts warn that even brief and disputed incursions risk escalating tensions between Moscow and NATO, particularly at a time of heightened confrontation in Eastern Europe.
For now, NATO says it will continue to respond to any potential airspace breaches “swiftly and decisively”.
M10News Foreign Desk | Contact: foreign@m10news.com
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