Estonia requests NATO consultations following incident with Russian MiG-31Ks
Illustrative photo: Estonia calls for NATO consultations (Armed Forces of Ukraine)
The Estonian government has called on NATO to begin consultations under Article 4 of the Alliance’s charter. This came after three Russian MiG-31K aircraft violated the country’s airspace, according to Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal on Twitter (X).
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal recalled that three Russian aircraft violated the country’s airspace, but NATO fighters escorted the intruders out.
"This morning, 3 Russian Mig-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace. NATO fighters responded and the Russian planes were forced to flee. Such violation is totally unacceptable. The Government of Estonia has decided to request NATO Article 4 consultations," the Prime Minister wrote.
On Friday, September 19, three Russian MiG-31 fighters violated Estonian airspace. They remained in the country’s airspace for at least 12 minutes. Eventually, the Russian aircraft fled after NATO fighters arrived at the scene.
Against this backdrop, the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the acting Russian chargé d’affaires in Estonia to present a formal protest note. According to the ministry, this is already the fourth airspace violation in the country this year.
Notably, on September 8, a Russian Mi-8 helicopter also violated Estonian airspace. It remained in the country’s airspace for four minutes before quickly returning to Russian territory.
