A NATO member state was forced to scramble with reconnaissance aircraft after a Russian fighter jet was accused of violating the Western military alliance’s airspace. A Russian Su-30 fighter plane entered Estonian airspace for about a minute on Wednesday, an official in the Baltic state said.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkana said Thursday that the incident occurred near the island of Wendlu in the Gulf of Finland, off the northern coast of Estonia. The Italian Air Force, based at Umari Air Base, immediately deployed a military aircraft to monitor the jet, he said.
Mr Tsahkana said: “There was no direct threat to Estonian security.” However, according to Delfi.ee, the jet had no flight plan or communication with Estonian air traffic control.
Prime Minister Christophe Michel accused Russia of following a “pattern” and praised NATO’s response to the incident.
He wrote on X: “Russia’s pattern does not change. Yesterday a Russian fighter jet violated our airspace. NATO works. Our skies are monitored, protected and defended at all times.”
Riho Terras, former head of the Estonian Defense Forces, affirmed “no threat” to the security of Estonia and called for a “firm and consistent response” to future violations.
He said: “The allies responded, and there was no threat to the security of Estonia. Every such violation now and in the future must be met with a strong and consistent response.”
Poland’s Armed Forces Operational Command announced Friday night that the Western alliance was sending “on-duty combat pairs and an early warning aircraft.”
He wrote in a post on
“In accordance with applicable procedures, the RSZ Operational Commander has activated the necessary forces and resources at his disposal.
“On-duty fighter pairs and an early warning aircraft have been deployed, and ground-based air defense systems as well as radar reconnaissance systems have reached a state of maximum readiness.”
