Three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violate Estonian airspace

The Guardian reported the information, citing the Estonian government.

Three Russian fighter jets entered Estonian airspace without permission and remained there for a total of 12 minutes. Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur called the incident 'unprecedentedly severe.'

'This morning, three Russian MiG-31 fighters entered Estonian airspace. NATO fighters responded, and the Russian planes were forced to flee. Such a violation is absolutely unacceptable. The Estonian government has decided to request consultations under NATO Article 4,' wrote Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal.

According to Postimees, the jets entered without a flight plan or radio communication. 

In response, the Estonian Foreign Ministry delivered a note of protest to the Russian ambassador.

At the same time, Politico reports, citing sources, that the MiG-31 aircraft headed toward the capital, Tallinn. According to people briefed on the situation, the jets circled for about 12 minutes and Italian F-35s were scrambled to repel them.

NATO’s response

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed that this morning he spoke with the Prime Minister of Estonia regarding Russia’s violation of Estonian airspace, according to The Guardian.

“The NATO response under Operation Eastern Sentry was swift and decisive,” he stated.

NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Belgium provided additional details about the incident in Estonia.

The agency confirmed that three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets had breached Estonian airspace, noting that “this is not typical behavior one would expect from professional air forces.”

According to the report, NATO promptly activated mechanisms under Operation Eastern Sentry. In response to the Russian provocation, Italian F-35 fighters based in Estonia were immediately scrambled. In addition, Sweden and Finland also deployed their quick-reaction aircraft, demonstrating a coordinated response by regional partners.

“NATO’s Combined Air Command maintained an integrated picture of the airspace and close coordination with allies throughout the response. As we have stated before, the Eastern Sentry system integrates air and ground defense and better combines existing measures, such as air policing, into a more coherent defensive posture. That was demonstrated today,” the statement added.

NATO to convene the North Atlantic Council

NATO spokesperson Allison Hart announced that the North Atlantic Council, the Alliance’s main decision-making body, will meet early next week for an urgent discussion of the incident involving Russian fighter jets violating Estonian airspace.

“The parties will hold consultations whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence, or security of any of the Parties is threatened,” the statement said.

EU reaction

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas responded to the incident, calling it “an extremely dangerous provocation.”

“This marks the third such violation of EU airspace in days and further escalates tensions in the region. The EU stands in full solidarity with Estonia,” she wrote.

Kallas stressed that she is in contact with the Estonian government and that the European Union will support its member states in strengthening their defenses.

“Putin is testing the West's resolve. We must not show weakness,” the diplomat added.

Reaction of Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry

Foreign Minister Dmytro Sybiha called the incursion of Russian fighter jets into Estonia another escalation by Moscow and a direct threat to transatlantic security.

“Ukraine stands with Estonia in the face of Russia’s brazen intimidation. I agree with my Estonian colleague Margus Tsahkna that half measures are no longer enough. Russia must face crushing political and economic pressure,” he said.

Sybiha added that Russia “will only grow bolder and more aggressive” until it receives a truly strong response to its actions.

Zelenskyy’s reaction

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the violation of Estonian airspace by Russian fighter jets unacceptable, stressing that it is part of a broader Kremlin campaign aimed at destabilizing Europe, NATO, and the West as a whole.

“Russia’s destabilization is expanding into new countries and directions. They use every tool, from interfering in political processes, as in Romania and Moldova, to violating airspace, as in Poland, Romania, and now Estonia. This is not a coincidence. This is a systematic Russian campaign against Europe, against NATO, against the West. And it requires a systematic response. Strong actions are necessary — both joint and individual ones from each country,” the president emphasized.

He stressed the importance of increasing economic pressure on Russia, “first and foremost through the economy, and sanctions are the best way to achieve this.”

“At the same time, Russia’s losses in the war must also grow, which can be achieved thanks to a strong Ukrainian army. I thank everyone who is helping. Europe, the United States, the G7 — all must act strongly,” Zelenskyy concluded.

Trump’s reaction

When asked by a reporter whether he considers the intrusion of Russian fighter jets into Estonian airspace a threat to NATO, U.S. President Donald Trump replied that he “doesn’t love it.”

“I don't love it when that happens. Could be big trouble. They will brief me about that,” he said.

• This follows a similar violation on September 8, when a Russian Mi-8 military helicopter briefly entered Estonian airspace. At that time, the Foreign Ministry handed a note of protest to the chargé d’affaires of the Russian Embassy.