In a stark display of escalating aggression, Russian fighter jets breached the sovereign airspace of Estonia, a NATO member, for a full 12 minutes on Friday. Estonia’s foreign minister swiftly denounced the incident, calling it undeniable evidence of Russia’s increasing belligerence.
Such aerial trespasses are not uncommon, as Russia frequently probes the air defenses and commitment of NATO allies. This year alone, Russian aircraft had already violated Estonian airspace on four prior occasions, according to reports from local news outlets, citing Minister Margus Tsakhna.
However, Minister Tsakhna characterized Friday’s particular incident, involving three advanced MIG-31 fighters soaring over the sensitive Gulf of Finland, as a uniquely ‘unprecedented and brazen intrusion.’
He emphasized that ‘Such actions cannot be tolerated and must be met with swift political and economic pressure,’ underscoring the severity of the challenge.
This provocative act follows closely on the heels of another alarming event just over a week prior, when over a dozen Russian drones entered Poland. That incident forced NATO to deploy its fighter jets to intercept and shoot down the drones, which Western officials deemed a perilous escalation in the ongoing conflict in neighboring Ukraine.
This remains a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.