NATO blames Russia for escalation, warns of decisive countermeasures
Photo: Mark Rutte (Getty Images)
NATO stated that the violation of Estonian airspace by Russian aircraft is part of Russia’s irresponsible behavior. The allies emphasized that their response will continue to be tough.
The North Atlantic Council published a statement on Tuesday following a meeting convened at Estonia’s request, in accordance with Article 4 of the Washington Treaty. The reason was the dangerous violation of the country’s airspace by three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets on September 19.
The statement notes that the planes were in Estonian airspace for more than ten minutes. The Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) informed the Council about the incident.
"NATO's response was quick and decisive. Allied aircraft were scrambled to intercept and escort them from Estonian airspace. This incursion is part of a wider pattern of increasingly irresponsible Russian behaviour," the allies said.
The allies recalled that this was already the second Article 4 meeting in two weeks: on September 10, consultations were held because of a large-scale violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones. Similar incidents have recently been recorded in Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Romania.
"We express our full solidarity with all Allies whose airspace has been breached. Russia bears full responsibility for these actions, which are escalatory, risk miscalculation, and endanger lives. They must stop," the statement reads.
The allies stressed that NATO’s response to “Russia’s reckless actions” will remain resolute.
"Russia should be in no doubt: NATO and Allies will employ, in accordance with international law, all necessary military and non-military tools to defend ourselves and deter all threats from all directions. Our commitment to Article 5 is ironclad," the Alliance stressed.
Russian aircraft in Estonia
On September 19, Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated Estonian airspace near Tallinn. It is known that they were in the country’s airspace for about 12 minutes.
Against the background of these events, Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Russian Federation’s chargé d’affaires to express a protest.
Later, the Estonian government decided to request consultations with NATO allies under Article 4 – the last time they resorted to this was after Russia’s drone attack on Poland on September 10.
Despite this, Moscow cynically denied the intrusion of its fighters into Estonian skies.
