In brief
In a recent incident, three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace without permission, prompting a swift condemnation from Estonia's foreign ministry. The jets reportedly transited the airspace for 12 minutes, leading to diplomatic protests and heightening concerns over Russia's military activities in the region, especially since such incursions have become more frequent in 2025.
Russian warplanes have violated Estonian airspace, the foreign ministry in Tallinn has said, condemning the incursion as brazen.
It said three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace without permission and remained there for a total of 12 minutes on Friday over the Gulf of Finland.
The ministry stated it summoned the Russian chargé d'affaires to lodge a protest, while top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas described the incursion as an extremely dangerous provocation.
Estonian media has reported that the Russian jets had their transponders switched off while flying over a NATO member nation's airspace.
The Russian military has not publicly commented on the issue.
In a statement, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna asserted that Friday's incursion was unprecedentedly brazen. He emphasized that Russia's increasing provocations and boundary testing necessitate a rapid increase in political and economic pressure.
The minister noted that Russia had already violated Estonia's airspace four times in 2025. Tensions between NATO and Russia have been mounting since Moscow launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago.
Earlier last week, Poland and Romania—both NATO members—reported incursions by Russian drones into their airspace, with Poland's military confirming it shot down at least three drones. Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that 19 drones were recorded entering Polish airspace in the incident.
Russia has claimed that the drone incursions were unintentional, with Belarus explaining that NATO jamming of navigation systems caused the flight deviations.
Furthermore, Romania's defense ministry detected a Russian drone while monitoring its borders, with the drone disappearing from radar shortly thereafter.
Russia has not commented on the reported incursion into Romanian airspace, further underscoring the recent rise in tensions.
