Estonia says Russian fighter jets entered airspace in brazen intrusion'

"Estonia has said Russia violated its airspace with the incursion of three supersonic fighter jets amid heightened fears that Moscow's war with Ukraine could spill over into Europe's eastern flank. Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said on Friday that three MiG-31s entered Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland in the north for a total of 12 minutes, adding that he had summoned the charge d'affaires at the Russian embassy over the violation."

"NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said the alliance had scrambled aircraft to intercept the Russian jets, accusing Moscow of reckless behaviour. The incident, she said, had shown NATO's ability to respond. The Estonian military issued a statement saying that Italian Air Force fighter jets participating in the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission stationed at Amari Airbase responded to the incident. The three Russian fighter jets had entered national airspace in the area of Vaindloo Island, located in the Gulf of Finland,"

"The three Russian fighter jets had entered national airspace in the area of Vaindloo Island, located in the Gulf of Finland, the military said, claiming that it was the fourth Russian incursion this year. The Russian jets did not have flight plans, and their transponders were switched off, it said. There was no two-way radio communication with Estonian air traffic control."

Three Russian MiG-31 supersonic fighter jets entered Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland for 12 minutes. Estonia summoned the Russian charge d'affaires and called the incursion an unprecedented and brazen intrusion and clear proof of growing Russian aggression, urging swift political and economic pressure. NATO scrambled aircraft to intercept the jets and characterized Moscow's behaviour as reckless, demonstrating NATO's ability to respond. Italian Air Force fighters from the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission at Amari Airbase responded. The jets entered near Vaindloo Island without flight plans, with transponders off and no radio communication. Neighbouring countries remain on high alert after recent drone incursions into Poland.

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