Russian warplanes breach NATO airspace over Estonia – POLITICO

“Earlier today, Russian jets violated Estonian airspace. NATO responded immediately and intercepted the Russian aircraft,” said NATO spokesperson Allison Hart. “This is yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour and NATO’s ability to respond.”

“Today’s violation of Estonia’s airspace by Russian military aircraft is an extremely dangerous provocation,” said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. “We will continue to support our member states in strengthening their defences with European resources.”

Estonia said it had summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires in Tallinn.

“Russia has violated Estonian airspace four times already this year, which is unacceptable in itself, but today’s violation, during which three fighter jets entered our airspace, is unprecedentedly brutal,” Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said. “Russia’s ever-increasing testing of borders and aggression must be responded to by rapidly strengthening political and economic pressure.”

Earlier this month, Poland reported more than a dozen drones crossed its border overnight, with some heading toward the strategic hub of Rzeszów. Polish forces, backed by NATO allies, shot down several drones and later invoked NATO’s Article 4, which calls for the alliance to hold consultations. Warsaw called the incident a deliberate Russian provocation.

Romania has also faced repeated violations, including a drone tracked for nearly 50 minutes in its airspace in mid-September. Fragments from earlier Russian attacks in Ukraine have repeatedly landed on Romanian territory.