The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will convene an emergency session on September 22 following a request from Estonia, after three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets breached Estonian airspace on Friday.
According to the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the jets crossed into Estonia from the Gulf of Finland, remaining in its airspace for 12 minutes before departing. Both Estonia and NATO immediately condemned the incident, calling it a serious violation of international law.
“The emergency meeting of the UN Security Council will take place on September 22 as a response to the flagrant breach of Estonian airspace by Russia,” the Ministry confirmed in its official statement.
First Request of Its Kind from Estonia
This marks the first time in 34 years since joining the United Nations that Estonia has officially requested an urgent UNSC meeting. Estonia, a EU and NATO member state, has been among the most vocal supporters of Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
Estonian Prime Minister announced Friday that the country will also urge NATO to activate Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which allows consultations between member states if one perceives a direct threat.
A Pattern of Russian Provocations
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stressed that this violation is part of a wider Russian strategy to test NATO’s resolve. He emphasized that such acts cannot go unanswered, pointing to recent incidents where:
- Around 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace,
- A Russian combat drone lingered for one hour in Romanian airspace.
“Such behavior demands a strong international response,” Tsahkna stated, adding that Russia’s actions are incompatible with the responsibilities of a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Rising Regional Tensions
The repeated incursions highlight increasing risks of miscalculation along NATO’s eastern flank. Estonia’s appeal for stronger collective security measures reflects growing concerns that Moscow’s actions are deliberately provocative, aimed at intimidating neighboring countries and undermining European unity.
