Three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace without permission Friday, circling for 12 minutes over the Gulf of Finland before NATO forces intercepted them in what officials called an “unprecedentedly brazen” violation of alliance territory.
The heavy interceptor aircraft, capable of carrying Russia’s Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, flew with their transponders switched off during the incursion, according to Estonian media reports. Italian F-35 fighters scrambled to repel the Russian jets during the 12-minute violation.
“Earlier today, Russian jets violated Estonian airspace. NATO responded immediately and intercepted the Russian aircraft,” said NATO spokesperson Allison Hart. “This is yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour and NATO’s ability to respond.”
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna condemned the incident as Russia’s most aggressive airspace violation this year. “Russia has already violated Estonia’s airspace four times this year, which in itself is unacceptable. But today’s incursion, involving three fighter aircraft entering our airspace, is unprecedentedly brazen,” Tsahkna said.
The airspace breach represents the third attempt this month by Russian forces to test NATO’s eastern border defenses. Last week, Poland reported that Russian drones crossed into its territory, with Polish forces shooting down at least three aircraft after 19 drones were recorded entering Polish airspace. Romania also detected a Russian drone in its territory during the same period.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the violation as escalating regional tensions. “This marks the third such violation of EU airspace in days and further escalates tensions in the region,” Kallas wrote on X. “The EU stands in full solidarity with Estonia.”
Today’s violation of Estonia’s airspace by Russian military aircraft is 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 (1/2)
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) September 19, 2025
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced Friday a fresh round of sanctions against Russia, citing violations of EU airspace among other factors. “We will respond to every provocation with determination while investing in a stronger Eastern flank. As threats escalate, so too will our pressure,” von der Leyen wrote on X.
Europe stands with Estonia in the face of Russia’s latest violation of our airspace.
We will respond to every provocation with determination while investing in a stronger Eastern flank.
As threats escalate, so too will our pressure.
I call on EU leaders to swiftly approve our…
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) September 19, 2025
The recent violations prompted NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte to announce the launch of the “Eastern Sentry” mission on September 12 to strengthen alliance defenses along the eastern flank. The operation followed Poland’s invocation of NATO’s Article 4, which calls for alliance consultations after the drone incursions.
Estonia’s foreign ministry summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires in Tallinn to lodge a formal protest over the violation. The Russian military has not publicly commented on the incident.
