UK ready to shoot down Russian planes over NATO countries, but there’s catch
Illustrative photo: The UK has announced its intention to shoot down Russian fighter jets (Getty Images)
The United Kingdom will shoot down Russian aircraft over NATO member countries if necessary, stated UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.
"If we need to confront planes operating in NATO airspace without permission, we will," she said.
Cooper described Russia’s recent actions as "dangerous and reckless," adding that they could undermine the territorial integrity of sovereign states and European security. She also warned that Russia’s deliberate actions could lead to direct armed confrontation between NATO and Russia.
"Our alliance is defensive, but be under no illusion. We stand ready to take all steps necessary to defend Nato skies and NATO’s territory. We are vigilant. We are resolute," she added.
The UK Foreign Secretary stated that Russia continues to violate its most fundamental obligations under the UN Charter, escalating attacks on Ukraine and carrying out reckless incursions into the airspace of Poland, Romania, and Estonia.
Cooper emphasized that "NATO’s combined strength is unparalleled and its determination to defend peace and security is unshakeable."
"Russia’s imperialist warmongering is a threat to international peace and security. It is a threat to the values and principles that underpin this organisation, this organisation that has done so much to support stability and prosperity these past 80 years, we must counter it for the sake of us all," she emphasized.
Russian aircraft over NATO
On the morning of September 19, three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated Estonia’s airspace. The incident occurred over the Gulf of Finland, where the Russian aircraft remained for 12 minutes. Estonia then requested consultations with NATO under Article 4 of the Alliance’s treaty.
Russia denied the airspace violation, claiming that the MiG-31 fighters were flying over neutral waters of the Baltic Sea along a designated route and did not enter any other country’s airspace.
Notably, Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov cynically dismissed Tallinn’s accusations of airspace violations by Russian fighters, shifting the responsibility onto Estonia itself.
