Russia is escalating its provocations by conducting new airspace violations in eastern Europe. According to international media reports, Estonian airspace was breached, with aircraft moving approximately 5 miles into Estonian territory toward the direction of Tallinn, the country’s capital.
Specifically, three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated Estonian airspace, an incident confirmed by the country’s government. The aircraft remained in Estonian airspace for 12 minutes, making headlines worldwide as Estonia described it as a blatant, unprecedented act of aggression. Italian F-35s stationed in the country took off to intercept them. NATO also confirmed the deployment of fighter jets for interception.
Estonian airspace violation: “Increasing aggression requires economic pressure”
Estonia’s Foreign Ministry summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires to lodge a protest and deliver a diplomatic note regarding the airspace violation.
“Russia has already violated Estonia’s airspace four times this year, which is unacceptable in itself. But today’s intrusion, involving three fighter aircraft that penetrated our airspace, is unprecedentedly aggressive,” stated Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna.
“Russia’s intensifying attempts to test borders and its increasing aggression must be met with rapid intensification of political and economic pressure,” he added.
This follows previous Russian violations in Poland and Romania, with Poland requesting activation of NATO’s Article 4 and the Atlantic Alliance responding by launching “Eastern Shield” operations.
Poland’s airspace violation
A crisis erupted in Poland when 19 Russian drones flew over the country, with all Western nations expressing full support for Warsaw and condemning Moscow’s actions.
The downing of four drones in the Polish countryside, hitting houses and destroying cars, marked the first time Russian drones were shot down over NATO member state territory.
Russian violations in Romania
Romania’s Armed Forces reported days ago that they tracked a Russian drone entering their airspace, with authorities sending urgent alerts to residents of Tulcea, located near the Danube border with Ukraine, to seek shelter.
Romanian defense scrambled two F-16 fighters that “detected a drone in national airspace” which they monitored “until it disappeared from radar” near the village of Chilia Veche, according to Romania’s Defense Ministry statement.
What NATO’s Eastern Shield plan includes
The “Eastern Shield” operation activated by NATO encompasses a range of measures incorporating air and ground bases. According to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, various Alliance countries will provide contributions, “including Denmark, France, the United Kingdom, Germany and others.” France has already announced deployment of three Rafale fighter jets to strengthen Polish airspace defense.
Germany also decided to contribute to better Polish airspace defense. “Eastern Shield will be flexible and agile, providing even more targeted deterrence and defense precisely when and where needed,” emphasized Grinkevics.
Kaja Kallas: Very dangerous provocation
The violation of Estonia’s airspace, a NATO member, by three Russian military aircraft is a “very dangerous provocation,” stated EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
“This marks the third similar EU airspace violation within days and further escalates regional tensions,” Kallas emphasized in an X post.
“We will continue supporting our member states in strengthening their defense with European resources. Putin is testing Western resolve. We must not show weakness,” she continued.
