Russian President Vladimir Putin (AP)
Russia on Saturday denied that three of its fighter jets violated Estonian airspace on Friday, insisting that its aircraft flew only over neutral waters.Tallinn on Friday said three MiG-31 fighter jets crossed into its airspace over the Gulf of Finland, staying for 12 minutes before Italian F-35s forced them to withdraw. The incursion took place near Vaindloo Island, about 100 kilometres from the capital.Officials added that the aircraft did not file flight plans, their transponders were switched off, and they were not in contact with air traffic control. Estonia summoned a Russian diplomat in protest.Foreign minister Margus Tsahkna called the incident “unprecedentedly brazen,” noting, as quoted by Reuters, “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 brazen.”The Russian defence ministry dismissed the accusations. “During the flight, the Russian aircraft did not deviate from the agreed flight path and did not violate Estonian airspace,” it said.According to Moscow, the jets were flying from northwest Russia to Kaliningrad “over neutral waters of the Baltic Sea.”“The flight was carried out in strict conformity with international rules governing airspace with no violation of the borders of other states as is confirmed by independent checks,” the ministry wrote on Telegram.Nato confirmed its jets intercepted the Russian aircraft. “Earlier today, Russian jets violated Estonian airspace. Nato responded immediately and intercepted the Russian aircraft. This is yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour and Nato’s ability to respond,” a spokesperson said on X.The alliance patrols the skies over Estonia and other Baltic states under its “Baltic Sentry” mission.
Global reactions
US President Donald Trump said he had not yet been briefed on the incident. “I don’t love it. I don’t like when that happens,” he told reporters. “Could be big trouble. I’ll let you know later.”Ukraine condemned the move as “an unacceptable new destabilisation measure.” President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Telegram, as quoted by Reuters, “Strong action is needed, both jointly and from individual countries.”French President Emmanuel Macron also expressed solidarity with Estonia. “I strongly cndemn the incursions of Russian aircraft into Estonia. They represent yet another step in Russia’s accumulation of provocations and irresponsible actions. I extend my full support to the Estonian authorities. A security posture will be adopted in response to these repeated violations,” he wrote on X.The airspace clash came three days after Russia and Belarus completed their large-scale “Zapad-2025” military exercises, which included rehearsals of nuclear weapons use. It also followed an earlier drone incursion into Polish airspace that Western officials described as a test of Nato’s readiness.
