Russia Reports Flight Over Baltic, Estonia, NATO Condemn Virtual Airspace Violation

Three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated Estonia's airspace for twelve minutes, prompting NATO to scramble jets to intercept them amid rising tensions linked to the war in Ukraine. Estonia invoked Article 4 of NATO, requesting urgent consultations due to the security threat, while European leaders, including Kosovo's acting Prime Minister and EU officials, condemned the violation as a dangerous provocation escalating regional tensions. Military experts suggested the extended duration of the incursion may have been deliberate, potentially testing NATO and Estonia's air defense readiness. Russia denied the violation, claiming their aircraft remained over neutral Baltic Sea waters following an agreed flight path, but NATO and Estonia refuted these claims, emphasizing the seriousness of the breach. The incident follows recent Russian drone violations of Polish and Romanian airspace and NATO's subsequent reinforcement of its eastern defenses, with U.S. President Donald Trump expressing concern over the incursions. Overall, the event underscores escalating friction between Russia and NATO in the Baltic region amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.