Russian warplanes breach NATO airspace over Estonia

Russian MiG-31s flew into Estonian airspace and approached Tallinn before Italian jets were scrambled to intercept them.

Russian MiG-31 aircraft. | Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images

Three Russian fighter jets flew into Estonian airspace on Friday in what would appear to be the third attempt by the Kremlin this month to test NATO’s eastern border.

The MiG-31 aircraft — heavy interceptors capable of carrying Russia’s Kinzhal hypersonic missile — headed toward the capital, Tallinn, according people briefed on the situation. The jets circled for about 12 minutes and Italian F-35s were scrambled to repel them.

The incursion comes after Russia last week also sent drones into Poland and Romania, two other frontline NATO members.

“Earlier today, Russian jets violated Estonian airspace. NATO responded immediately and intercepted the Russian aircraft,” said NATO spokesperson Allison Hart. “This is yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour and NATO’s ability to respond.”

Estonia said it had summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires in Tallinn.

“Russia has violated Estonian airspace four times already this year, which is unacceptable in itself, but today’s violation, during which three fighter jets entered our airspace, is unprecedentedly brutal,” Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said. “Russia’s ever-increasing testing of borders and aggression must be responded to by rapidly strengthening political and economic pressure.”

Earlier this month, Poland reported more than a dozen drones crossed its border overnight, with some heading toward the strategic hub of Rzeszów. Polish forces, backed by NATO allies, shot down several drones and later invoked NATO's Article 4, which calls for the alliance to hold consultations. Warsaw called the incident a deliberate Russian provocation.

Romania has also faced repeated violations, including a drone tracked for nearly 50 minutes in its airspace in mid-September. Fragments from earlier Russian attacks in Ukraine have repeatedly landed on Romanian territory. 

Announcing a new round of EU sanctions on Russian energy and financial transactions on Friday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen deplored that in recent days "Russian drones have violated our union's airspace, both in Poland and in Romania."

"Again and again, President [Vladimir] Putin has escalated and in response, Europe is increasing its pressure," she said. "We know that our sanctions are an effective tool of economic pressure, and we will keep using them until Russia comes to the negotiating table."

This story is being updated.