Estonia has requested consultations with NATO member states after three Russian fighter jets violated its airspace on Friday.
According to the Estonian government, the MiG-31 aircraft entered Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland “without permission and remained for a total of 12 minutes.”
In response, Italy, Finland, and Sweden scrambled aircraft as part of NATO’s mission to reinforce the eastern flank. A NATO spokesperson described the incident as “another example of Russia’s reckless behavior and NATO’s ability to respond.”
Russia has denied violating Estonian airspace. Nevertheless, tensions have recently increased, as both Poland and Romania—also NATO members—reported incursions by Russian drones into their airspace.
Article 4 of the NATO treaty provides for urgent consultations within the 32-member alliance, linking the U.S. and many European countries in collective defense.
This is the second time this month that a NATO member has invoked Article 4; on September 10, Poland requested consultations following a Russian drone airspace violation.
