NATO protests Russian incursion of Estonian airspace

One of three Russian MiG-31s that crossed Estonian airspace on 19 September, photographed from an intercepting Swedish Gripen. (Swedish Air Force)

NATO has protested the incursion of Russian combat aircraft into Estonian airspace, describing the event on 19 September as “yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour”.

A NATO spokesperson said that for 12 minutes three Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) MiG-31 ‘Foxhound' interceptor and cruise missile carrier aircraft flew through Estonian airspace before being escorted clear by alliance fighters.

“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,” the spokesperson said.

As noted in NATO's reports of the incident, the VKS MiG-31s were intercepted by Italian Air Force Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II jets based in Estonia under ‘Eastern Sentry', as well as Swedish Air Force Saab JAS 39 Gripen C and Finnish Air Force Boeing F/A-18C Hornet aircraft on national quick reaction alert duties.

According to the Estonian government, the Russian aircraft had no flight plan files, and were operating with their transponders turned off. As a consequence of the incident, it requested an Article 4 meeting with NATO. Article 4 states that any member country can formally bring an issue to the attention of NATO's principal decision-making body, the North Atlantic Council, to meet and discuss next steps with allies.

For its part, Russia denied that its aircraft had violated Estonian, and consequently NATO, airspace.

For more information on recent Russian violations of NATO airspace, please see NATO shores up eastern flank following Russian drone incursions .