NATO fighter jets intercepted three Russian MiG-31 warplanes that crossed into Estonian airspace on Sept. 19, prompting the Baltic nation to request urgent alliance consultations under Article 4 of the NATO treaty over what Estonian officials said was a “brazen” and “totally unacceptable” incursion.
Estonia’s Foreign Ministry said the jets entered its airspace near Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland without permission and remained there for 12 minutes. Their transponders were switched off, no flight plans were filed, and they were not in contact with air traffic controllers, officials said.
“This is an unprecedented and brazen intrusion—clear proof of Russia’s growing aggression,” Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said. “Such actions cannot be tolerated and must be met with swift political and economic pressure.”…