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Estonia accuses Russia of airspace violation; Moscow denies

Saturday, 20 September 2025 7:37 AM [ Last Update: Saturday, 20 September 2025 7:37 AM ]

A still photo published by the Swedish armed forces, which it says shows a Russian MiG-31 fighter jet that took part in the violation of Estonian airspace. Sweden’s military says the image was taken over the Baltic Sea after the Russian aircraft left Estonian airspace, September 19, 2025. (Photo via Reuters)

Estonia has accused Russia of violating its airspace, claiming three supersonic fighter jets carried out an “unprecedented and brazen” incursion, while Moscow rejected the allegation, insisting its aircraft stayed over neutral Baltic waters during a routine flight.

Estonia said on Friday that three Russian MiG-31 jets entered its territory for 12 minutes, adding that the alleged airspace violation occurred in the area of Vaindloo Island, around 100 kilometers from the capital Tallinn.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Russian Defense Ministry dismissed the claim, saying that the jets were on a routine flight from Karelia, east of Finland, to the Kaliningrad region.

The Defense Ministry said the aircraft flew over neutral waters of the Baltic Sea, more than three kilometers from Vaindloo island, “without violating Estonian airspace.”

“The flight was carried out in strict accordance with international airspace regulations and without crossing the borders of other countries,” the statement added.

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The Ministry stressed that independent checks confirmed that Russian jets did not cross the borders of other countries during the flight.

Estonia requested urgent consultations among NATO members, invoking Article 4 of the alliance’s treaty.

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal described the flight as “unprecedentedly brazen” and called for allied consultations to ensure situational awareness and determine joint steps.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said it was the fourth alleged airspace violation by Russia this year.

Estonia summoned the Russian charge d’affaires in the country to deliver a protest note, while NATO’s Baltic Sentry mission continues to monitor the region.

Italian F-35 jets stationed in Estonia reportedly pushed the Russian aircraft out of the area.

The incident comes after Poland accused Russia of sending at least 19 drones into its airspace on September 9. Moscow rejected the claim, and NATO deployed additional aircraft to patrol Polish skies.

Separately, Poland reported that two Russian fighter jets violated the safety zone of the Petrobaltic drilling platform in the Baltic Sea, a claim Russia also rejected.

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