Estonia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on 21/9 that it had requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council regarding a Russian MiG-31 fighter jet that allegedly violated Estonian airspace for 12 minutes. According to Estonian officials, the Security Council will discuss what the country considers "Russia's violation of NATO airspace and international law".

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, stated the emergency Security Council meeting would take place at 10:00 a.m. (9:00 p.m. Hanoi time) today. Ukraine also requested to participate in the meeting to present its perspective.

A Russian MiG-31 fighter jet flies over the Baltic Sea on 19/9. Photo: Swedish Air Force

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said the alleged incursion by a MiG-31, carried out by Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council, must be addressed by the council itself.

Estonia reported three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered its airspace on 19/9 near Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland, about 100 km from the capital, Tallinn. According to the Estonian military, the Russian jets did not file a flight plan, turned off their transponders, and did not communicate with air traffic control.

The Russian Ministry of Defense later denied the MiG-31s entered Estonian airspace. They maintained the aircraft remained within international airspace over the Baltic Sea while transferring from Karelia to Kaliningrad.

Location of Vaindloo Island. Graphics: Sun

On 20/9, Estonia announced it had requested consultations under Article 4 of the NATO Charter. This article allows NATO members 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.

Russian aircraft and UAVs have recently been accused of entering the airspace of NATO member states in the east, including Poland, Romania, and Estonia, amid heightened tensions between Moscow and European countries due to the war in Ukraine.

The Swedish and German militaries announced on 21/9 they had scrambled JAS 39 Gripen and Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets over the Baltic Sea to monitor a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft. According to them, the Il-20 was flying in international airspace but did not turn on its radio communication, and Russia did not provide prior notification of the flight.

Nguyen Tien (According to CNN, AP, AFP)