3 Russian MiG-31 jets violate Estonian airspace, Tallinn says
Editor's note: This story has been updated with comments from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Estonia summoned Russia's charge d'affaires on Sept. 19 after three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered the Baltic nation's airspace for 12 minutes, the Foreign Ministry said.
The incursion occurred over the Gulf of Finland, where the aircraft crossed into Estonian territory without permission before departing. The Estonian Defense Forces confirmed the violation.
"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," Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said.
The Estonian Foreign Ministry said Moscow had been handed a formal protest note over the violation.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal later announced that Tallinn was requesting consultations under NATO's Article 4, which allows member states to hold discussions with allies if their security is threatened.
The Russian Defense Ministry has denied violating Estonia's airspace.
NATO Spokesperson Allison Hart wrote on X that the alliance "responded immediately and intercepted the Russian aircraft," calling the incident "yet another example of reckless Russian behavior and NATO's ability to respond."
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also condemned the violation, saying, "We will respond to every provocation with determination while investing in a stronger Eastern flank. As threats escalate, so too will our pressure. I call on EU leaders to swiftly approve our 19th sanctions package."
The European Commission proposed its 19th sanctions package on Sept. 19, which includes a complete import ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG).
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas called the violation "an extremely dangerous provocation," noting it was the third such breach of EU airspace in recent days.
"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," she said, adding: "(Russian President Vladimir) Putin is testing the West's resolve. We must not show weakness."
Ukrainian officials joined Europe and NATO in condemning the breach and demanding action against Moscow. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the incursion "another Russian escalation and a direct threat to transatlantic security," writing on X that "half-measures are no longer enough."
"Russia must face crushing political and economic pressure," he said.
When asked for a reaction on the airspace violation, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration with the situation.
"I don't love it when that happens. It could be big trouble. I'll let you know later, they'll brief me in about an hour," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said the incursion was part of "a systematic Russian campaign" against Europe, NATO, and the West.
"Russian destabilization is spreading to new countries and areas," Zelensky wrote on Telegram.
"They are using all means at their disposal, from interfering in political processes, as in Romania and Moldova, to violating airspace, as in Poland, Romania, and now Estonia. ... Strong action is needed — both jointly and by each individual country."
U.S. President Donald Trump did not join in the round of condemnations, telling reporters on Sept. 19 that he was waiting to be briefed with additional details but that there was potential for "big trouble."
"Well, I'm gonna have to look at it. They'll be briefing me in a short while, so I'll let you know about it tonight or tomorrow," he said.
"I don't love it. I don't like when that happens. This could be big trouble, but I'll let you know later, they're going to brief me in about an hour."
On the same day that the MiG-31s crossed into Estonian airpsace, the Polish Border Guard reported that Russian figher jets violated the security zone of a drilling platform in the Baltic Sea.
"Two Russian fighter jets performed a low pass over the Petrobaltic platform in the Baltic Sea. The platform's safety zone was violated," the Border Guard reported. Poland's military and other services were notified of the incident.
The Petrobaltic platform is an oil and gas installation located in the Polish exclusive economic zone of the Baltic Sea.
The violations come amid heightened tensions in the region. Earlier this month, Poland confirmed that it had shot down Russian drones that entered its airspace during a mass aerial attack on Ukraine — the first time a NATO member has directly engaged Russian military assets over its own territory during the war.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the Sept. 10 incident as "an unprecedented violation of Polish airspace" and said it brought Europe "the closest we have been to open conflict since World War II."
In response, Warsaw temporarily closed its main airport, placed its air defenses on high alert, and requested consultations with NATO allies under Article 4 of the alliance's treaty.
Polish authorities have since launched a review of bomb shelters nationwide as part of a multibillion-zloty civil defense program to improve readiness in the event of further escalations.
Kateryna Hodunova
