Russia has firmly rejected allegations that its aircraft violated NATO airspace, cautioning that such claims could escalate tensions further. This denial follows an incident on Friday, when three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets reportedly crossed into Estonia’s airspace, remaining for approximately 12 minutes before NATO aircraft intervened to escort them out.
Estonian officials indicated that the Russian jets were flying over the Gulf of Finland without active transponders and did not communicate with Estonian air traffic control throughout their flight. The situation was described by Estonia as a provocative act that warrants serious concern.
Responding to the accusations, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the Russian military conducts its operations strictly in accordance with international laws governing air travel. He characterized Estonia’s claims as baseless and a manifestation of the country’s ongoing strategy to heighten tensions and foster a confrontational environment in the region.
In light of the incident, NATO ambassadors are scheduled to hold discussions on Tuesday, prompted by Estonia’s call for urgent talks under Article Four of the alliance’s founding treaty. This discussion comes on the heels of a prior invocation of Article Four by Poland, following an earlier incident involving approximately 20 Russian drones that entered its airspace.
The situation highlights increasing concerns among NATO members regarding Russian military activity in the region and raises questions about airspace security and regional stability.
