A Russian fighter jet violated the airspace of Estonia on Wednesday, prompting a response from NATO Baltic Air Policing, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said on Thursday.
It was the first time this year that a Russian aircraft has breached Estonia’s airspace, according to the Foreign Ministry.
Tsahkna stated that the violation occurred near Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland, close to Estonia’s northern coast. A Russian Sukhoi Su-30 entered Estonian airspace and remained there for about one minute.
According to the Estonian Foreign Minister, NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission responded quickly by deploying Italian Air Force units.
In September last year, Tallinn officially reported that three Russian military aircraft violated its airspace for 12 minutes in what was described as an “unprecedented” incursion, while Russia’s Ministry of Defense dismissed the claim as false.
Estonia has summoned the acting head of the Russian diplomatic mission in Tallinn to seek explanations regarding Wednesday’s incident.
