Tensions between Russia and Europe remain high after reports of yet another NATO country’s airspace being breached.
As the war in Ukraine rages on, Russia appears to be testing the limits of European patience.
In response, several NATO leaders have strongly condemned Moscow for these violations.
Just last week, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reported that Russian drones had entered Polish airspace during an attack on Ukraine.
The Kremlin later dismissed those claims, stating that none of the drones were targeting locations in Poland.
Now, tensions have escalated further. Estonia has accused Russia of violating its airspace—not with drones, but with military aircraft. According to Estonian officials, three Russian jets crossed into the NATO member’s territory on Friday, September 19.
Estonia’s government confirmed that the aircraft were Russian MiG-31 fighter jets, which remained in its airspace for 12 minutes.
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna condemned the incursion, stressing that this was already the fourth such violation by Russia this year.
“Russia has violated Estonian airspace four times already this year, which is unacceptable in itself,” Tsahkna said. “But today’s violation, involving three fighter jets entering our airspace, is unprecedentedly brazen.”
Tsahkna urged allies to take a tougher stance, saying: “Russia’s ever-increasing testing of borders and aggressiveness must be responded to by rapidly strengthening political and economic pressure.”
The latest incident has only deepened concerns that escalating provocations could trigger a far larger conflict—even raising fears of a path toward World War III.
EU foreign policy chief and former Estonian prime minister Kaja Kallas also weighed in, calling the move a deliberate threat.
“Today’s violation of Estonia’s airspace by Russian military aircraft is an extremely dangerous provocation,” Kallas said in a post on social media.
Kallas emphasized that the breach was part of a troubling pattern.
“This marks the third such violation of EU airspace in recent days and further escalates tensions in the region. The EU stands in full solidarity with Estonia,” she said.
“I am in close contact with the Estonian government, and we will continue to support our member states in strengthening their defenses with European resources.”
One European official warned that “Putin is testing the West’s resolve. We must not show weakness.”
For now, it remains unclear how Estonia will respond to the incursion.
Poland, after reporting a similar breach of its airspace, requested the invocation of NATO’s Article 4 — a measure that requires members to consult whenever a nation believes its territorial integrity, political independence, or security is under threat.
