NATO responds to Russian fighter jet's violation of Estonian airspace
Photo: Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General (Getty Images)
NATO and Tallinn are in close contact and coordinating their response following the incident over the Baltic Sea, during which a Russian fighter jet violated Estonian airspace, according to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte during a press conference in Antalya.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that NATO and Estonia were in close contact regarding the incident and were coordinating efforts to understand what had occurred fully. He noted that NATO allies would collaborate to ensure the security of member states in the Baltic region.
Rutte also reminded the public that the Alliance maintains an air policing mission in the Baltic, as well as Operation Baltic Sentry, which focuses on protecting critical underwater infrastructure in the region.
Incident over Baltic Sea
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna explained that Russia had scrambled a fighter jet when Tallinn attempted to intercept an oil tanker in the Baltic Sea, which was reportedly part of the so-called shadow fleet and subject to sanctions. He said the Russian aircraft had briefly violated Estonian airspace.
Tsahkna emphasized that Moscow appeared willing to defend the shadow fleet and described the situation as serious.
