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By Matthew Robinson and Jordan King
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NATO scrambled a reconnaissance plane after a Russian fighter jet violated Estonia's airspace on Wednesday.
Estonia's foreign minister Margus Tsahkna said on Thursday that a Russian SU-30 fighter jet entered the country's airspace for around a minute, according to the local news outlet Delfi.ee.
He added that the Italian Air Force, based at the Ämari Air Base, deployed a military plane to monitor the jet. "There was no direct threat to Estonian security," Tsahkna said.
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Why It Matters
Estonia's government said that Wednesday's incident was the first Russian airspace violation this year.
Last September, the country said that three Russian military jets violated its airspace for 12 minutes in an "unprecedentedly brazen" incursion.
It underscores the persistent tensions on NATO's eastern flank and the alliance's rapid air policing posture.
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What To Know
Russia's violation occurred near Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland, off Estonia's northern coast, Tsahkna said. The fighter jet did not have a flight plan or communication with Estonian air traffic control, Delfi.ee reported.
Estonia has summoned the acting head of the Russian diplomatic mission in Tallinn in response to the violation, Reuters reports.
Last week, NATO member Poland dispatched two MiG-29 fighter jets to intercept and escort a Russian Ilyushin Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea, country's Operational Command of the Armed Forces said.
Norway also scrambled F-35s on two consecutive days to identify and shadow Russian Il‑20M aircraft near a NATO exercise area off the country's north coast. The Norwegian Armed Forces said the flights were likely intended to gather awareness of NATO's activity during the Cold Response military training exercise.
Last year, NATO launched Eastern Sentry, a mission to secure its eastern flank airspace following frequent violations by Russia.
NATO said: "Through Eastern Sentry, Allies are contributing additional capabilities and assets to NATO's deterrence and defense – for instance, more fighter jets, helicopters, transport aircraft, air defense systems, surveillance aircraft and frigates – and improving the coordination of these assets through NATO.
"Furthermore, Eastern Sentry is building on the experience from Baltic Sentry and is incorporating innovative technologies and tactics to address new challenges."
What People Are Saying
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal praised NATO's response on Wednesday, writing on X: "Russia's pattern does not change. Yesterday a Russian fighter jet violated our airspace. NATO works. Our skies are monitored, protected and defended at all times."
Riho Terras, the former head of the Estonian defense forces, wrote on X: "Allies reacted, and there was no threat to Estonia's security. Every such violation, now and in the future, must be met with a firm and consistent response."
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