Estonia triggers NATO consultations after alleged Russian jet incursion

Estonia has requested consultations with NATO under Article 4 of the alliance's charter, following an alleged incursion into its airspace by three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets.

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal announced on 19/9, "Three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace this morning. NATO jets responded and forced the Russian aircraft to withdraw. Such violations are unacceptable. The Estonian government has decided to request consultations under Article 4 of NATO.".

Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty states that NATO members have the right to request joint consultations when "the territorial integrity, political independence, or security of any of the parties is threatened," without necessarily triggering a military response.

The Russian Ministry of Defense denied the accusations, stating that tracking data showed the formation strictly adhered to international airspace rules and "did not violate the borders of other countries".

"A formation of three MiG-31s carried out a planned flight from Karelia to an airfield in the Kaliningrad region. The aircraft did not deviate from the pre-agreed route. The flight path was entirely over international airspace in the Baltic Sea, more than 3 km from Vaindloo Island," the Russian Ministry of Defense said.

The Estonian military previously alleged that the Russian MiG-31s entered the country's airspace for 12 minutes without permission. According to Estonia, the incident occurred near Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland. The Russian fighters turned off their transponders and did not declare their flight path.

NATO confirmed that Italian F-35s, stationed in Estonia as part of Operation Eastern Protector, scrambled alongside Finnish and Swedish aircraft in response. The Swedish military later released a photograph of a MiG-31, showing the Russian jet carrying R-73 short-range air-to-air missiles.

Russian MiG-31 fighter jets seen from a Swedish aircraft over the Baltic Sea on 19/9. Photo: Swedish Air Force

Reuters reported that Russian aircraft have been accused of airspace incursions around Vaindloo Island multiple times, but these incidents are usually brief. An unnamed US official commented, "It’s hard to believe this was not intentional".

Tallinn sent a note of protest to Moscow over the 19/9 incident, and NATO and EU officials condemned Russia's actions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested it was part of a "systematic campaign by Russia" against NATO.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions after Poland and Romania accused Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of violating their airspace. NATO launched Operation Eastern Protector on 13/9, deploying additional forces to strengthen defenses on the alliance's eastern flank.