Estonia invokes NATO defence treaty after Russian jets violated airspace

London: Russian fighter jets have triggered a security alert over Europe by flying over Estonian territory before being intercepted by NATO aircraft, just as the European Union unveils more economic sanctions against Russia over its war on Ukraine.

The three Russian jets violated Estonian airspace for 12 minutes in a provocative move that heightens tensions with NATO allies after Russian drones flew over Poland and Romania in recent days.

Estonia invoked the NATO defence treaty to call for consultations with its allies after condemning the “brazen” incursion into its territory.

The three MiG-31 jets were escorted out of Estonian airspace by Italian F-35 fighter aircraft deployed by NATO under the Baltic Sentry program, which was launched in January to respond to Russian provocations.

“NATO responded immediately and intercepted the Russian aircraft. This is yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour and NATO’s ability to respond,” said NATO spokeswoman Allison Hart.

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said the government had requested consultations with allies under Article 4 of the NATO treaty. A different provision of the treaty, Article 5, can be invoked if a member state is subject to attack.

On Saturday, Russia denied its jets had violated Estonian airspace and said they flew over neutral waters of the Baltic Sea, proceeding from northwest Russia to the Russian Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad.

“The flight was carried out in strict conformity with international rules governing airspace with no violation of the borders of other states as is confirmed by independent checks,” the Russian defence ministry said in a post on Telegram.

“During the flight, the Russian aircraft did not deviate from the agreed flight path and did not violate Estonian airspace.”

However, Estonia said the Russian aircraft did not have flight plans, their transponders were not switched on and they were not in contact with air traffic control.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the violation of EU airspace – given Estonia is a member of NATO and the EU – and promised to impose greater pressure on Russia.

“We will respond to every provocation with determination while investing in a stronger Eastern flank,” she said. “As threats escalate, so too will our pressure.”

Meanwhile, Polish and allied aircraft were deployed again early on Saturday, local time, to ensure the safety of Polish airspace after Russia launched airstrikes targeting western Ukraine near the border with Poland, armed forces of the NATO-member country said.

“Polish and allied aircraft are operating in our airspace, while ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems have been brought to the highest state of readiness,” the operational command said in a post on X. Nearly all of Ukraine was under air raid alerts following Ukrainian Air Force warnings of Russian missile and drone attacks.

On Friday, the EU unveiled its 19th package of economic sanctions on Russia, led by a ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas into European markets.

“It is time to turn off the tap,” von der Leyen said.

The move follows growing calls from US President Donald Trump for tougher action by Europe including a ban on buying Russian oil. Two EU members, Hungary and Slovakia, have increased their purchases of Russian oil over the past year. Turkey, a NATO ally but not an EU member, has also bought more Russian oil.

While the new EU sanctions do not ban Russian oil, they lower the crude oil price cap to $US47.60 per barrel. This is the same benchmark applied by the Australian government in a move by Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Thursday and highlights the cooperation between liberal democracies to stymie Russian oil exports.

“In three years, Russia’s oil revenues in Europe have gone down by 90 per cent. We are now turning that page for good,” von der Leyen said.

The EU also tightened financial sanctions on Russian banks and restricted more technology exports that could aid Russia on the battlefield.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cited the violation of Estonian airspace as a further sign that the US and its European allies should agree on tougher action against Russia.

“Russian military aircraft once again violated NATO airspace – this time over Estonia. Outrageous,” he said on social media.

“Russia’s destabilising activity is expanding into new countries and directions. They use every tool: from interference in political processes, as in Romania and Moldova, to violations of airspace, as in Poland, Romania, and now Estonia.

“These are not accidents. This is a systematic Russian campaign directed against Europe, against NATO, against the West. And it requires a systemic response.”

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said Russia had violated Estonian airspace four times already this year.

“But today’s violation...is unprecedentedly brazen,” he said on Friday. “Russia’s ever-increasing testing of borders and aggressiveness must be responded to by rapidly strengthening political and economic pressure.”

Estonia said it had summoned the top Russian diplomat in the country to lodge a protest and deliver a note.

Estonia said in May that Moscow had briefly sent a fighter jet into NATO airspace over the Baltic Sea during an attempt to stop a Russian-bound oil tanker thought to be part of a “shadow fleet” defying Western sanctions on Moscow.

With Reuters

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