Estonian foreign minister Margus Tsahkna stated on 19/9, "Russia has violated Estonian airspace 4 times this year, which is unacceptable, but today's violation, with three fighter jets entering our airspace, is unprecedented and brazen." He added, "Russia's increasing aggression and challenging of borders must be met with a swift increase in political and economic pressure."

A Russian MiG-31 fighter jet flies over Red Square in Moscow in May 2022. Photo: *Reuters*

The Estonian defense force reported that the airspace violation occurred this morning near Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland, about 100 km from the capital, Tallinn. According to them, the Russian aircraft did not file flight plans, turned off their transponders, and did not communicate with air traffic control. While Russian aircraft passing near Vaindloo Island is somewhat common, they typically don't linger as long as in this instance.

NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said the alliance "reacted immediately and intercepted the Russian fighter jets", calling it "yet another example of Russia's reckless behavior and NATO's responsiveness".

The Russian defense ministry has not commented. The Estonian foreign ministry announced it had summoned the Russian charge d'affaires to protest, while former Estonian prime minister and high-ranking EU representative Kaja Kallas described the incident as "an extremely dangerous act of provocation".

Location of Vaindloo Island. Graphic: *Sun*

Jakub M. Godzimirski, a professor researching Russian security policy at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, commented: "This could be a way for Russia to test NATO's response to this kind of challenge, but it could also be unintentional. However, it occurs in a particular context, following the drone incursion into Poland a few days ago."

More than 20 Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were accused of violating Polish airspace on the night of 9-10/9, prompting NATO to scramble fighter jets to shoot some of them down.

Vu Hoang (*Reuters*)