Moscow denies its fighter jets crossed the NATO state’s border
The Russian Defense Ministry has denied that its warplanes entered Estonian airspace. Estonia earlier claimed that three Russian aircraft violated its airspace for 12 minutes on Friday in what it called an “unprecedented brazen” incursion.
In a brief statement on Saturday, the ministry said three MiG-31s were conducting a routine flight from Karelia, east of Finland, to an airfield in the Kaliningrad region, a Russian exclave bordering Poland and Lithuania.
The jets flew over neutral waters of the Baltic Sea, more than 3 kilometers from Estonia’s Vaindloo island, “without violating Estonian airspace,” the MOD said.
“The flight was carried out in strict accordance with international airspace regulations and without crossing the borders of other countries,” the ministry added.
Estonia has requested urgent consultations among NATO members, activating Article 4 of the alliance’s treaty. “NATO’s response to any provocation must be united and strong. We consider it essential to consult with our allies to ensure shared situational awareness and to agree on our next joint steps,” Prime Minister Kristen Michal said.
On September 9, Poland accused Russia of sending at least 19 drones into its airspace, a claim Moscow has denied. NATO responded by deploying additional aircraft to patrol Polish skies.
