Russian fighter jets in Estonia: Media uncovers flight path
Photo: Russian aircraft spent 12 minutes in Estonian airspace (Getty Images)
Three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets that entered Estonian airspace on September 19 were heading toward the country’s capital, The Times reports.
Russian aircraft flew no more than six miles inside Estonian territory, skirting the border at a distance of about 60 miles (over 96 km). Twelve minutes after the airspace violation, Italian F-35 fighters based in the region intercepted and chased them away.
However, Colonel Gaetano Farina, commander of NATO air forces, said the MiG-31 jets were intercepted over land and appeared to be heading toward Tallinn. In addition, an unnamed European diplomat provided similar information about the incursion to The Times.
Russian air provocations
Recently, several violations of NATO member states’ airspace by Russia have been recorded. In particular, Russian fighters were in Estonian skies for 12 minutes.
Two more Russian fighter jets were detected over the Petrobaltic oil and gas platform in the Baltic Sea, within Poland’s territorial waters.
Lithuania suggested shooting down aircraft that enter NATO airspace, recalling a 2015 incident in Türkiye when a Russian Su-25 was shot down after crossing Turkish airspace.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said his country is ready to destroy any hostile objects that enter its airspace. The UK Ministry of Defense made a similar statement.
RBC-Ukraine also reported that Russia denied accusations of airspace violations. The Kremlin claimed that no violations occurred and that Russian military flights operate "strictly within international rules".
