NATO Deploys Fighter Jets to Intercept Russian Aircraft Over Estonia

NATO jets have been scrambled to fend off a Russian warplane that entered Estonian airspace.

The violation occurred near Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland, off Estonia’s northern coast, where a Russian SU-30 fighter aircraft entered Estonian airspace and remained for around one minute, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said on Thursday.

‘There was no threat to Estonia’s security,’ he added.

NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission responded swiftly, deploying Italian Air Force units, according to Tsahkna.

It was the first time this year that a Russian aircraft has violated Estonian airspace, Tsahkna said. 

Estonia summoned the acting head of the Russian diplomatic mission in Tallinn in protest at Wednesday’s incident, the foreign ministry said.

The Russian embassy in Estonia did not immediately respond to a request for comment when contacted by Reuters via phone and email.

Several politicians have responded to Russia’s violation.