Estonia requests Nato Article 4 consultation over Russian fighter jets incident
Estonia has formally requested a Nato Article 4 consultation over the Russian violation of its airspace earlier today, the country’s prime minister Kristen Michal said.
In a post on X, he confirmed that three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace, and were confronted by Nato fighters, before they were “forced to flee.”
“Such violation is totally unacceptable,” Michal said.
Key events
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Nato says Russian violation ‘not type of behaviour one would expect from professional air force’ as confirms details of response
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Nato’s response was ‘quick and decisive,’ secretary general Rutte says after call with Estonian PM
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UK condemns ‘another reckless incursion into Nato airspace by Russia’
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Estonia requests Nato Article 4 consultations — snap analysis
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Estonia requests Nato Article 4 consultation over Russian fighter jets incident
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Nato’s border ‘tested for reason,’ Lithuanian defence minister warns, references 2015 Turkish decision to shot Russian jet down
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Poland says Russian jets performed low pass over Petrobaltic platform in Baltic Sea, violating safety zone
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‘Vigilance is price of freedom,’ German FM says as he condemn Russian incursion into Estonia
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Russian incursion into Estonian airspace ‘direct threat to transatlantic security,’ Ukrainian foreign minister says
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Estonian incident shows ‘seriousness of Russian threat,’ Swedish PM says
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Russia is ‘escalating tensions … and testing how far it can go,’ Czech PM warns
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Russia ‘directly threatens Euroatlantic security,’ Lithuania’s foreign minister says
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EU’s Costa blasts ‘unacceptable provocation’ by Russia, says leaders will discuss at next summit
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Russian jets intercepted by Italian F-35s stationed in Estonia, army confirms
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EU’s von der Leyen urges leaders to ‘swiftly’ adopt sanctions against Russia after Estonia incident
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Nato intercepted Russian aircraft over Estonia, Nato spokesperson confirms
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‘Extremely dangerous provocation,’ EU’s Kallas says on Russian fighter jets over Estonia, which ‘further escalates tensions in region’
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‘Unprecedently brazen’ violation of Nato airspace, Estonia’s foreign minister says
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Nato says Russian violation ‘not type of behaviour one would expect from professional air force’ as confirms details of response
Nato’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Command Operations, or SHAPE, in Belgium has offered a bit more on the Estonian incident.
It confirmed that three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated Estonia’s airspace, noting with a bit of understatement that “this is not the type of behaviour one would expect from a professional air force.”
“Nato quickly responded under Eastern Sentry, scrambling Italian F-35 fighter jets based in Estonia,” it said, adding that Sweden and Finland also scrambled their quick reaction aircraft.
It added:
“Nato’s Allied Air Command maintained a consolidated air picture and close coordination with Allies throughout the response.
“As we have stated previously, Eastern Sentry integrates air and ground-based defences and better connects existing activities like air policing into a more coherent defensive posture. That was on display today.”
Nato’s response was ‘quick and decisive,’ secretary general Rutte says after call with Estonian PM
Nato’s s secretary general Mark Rutte has just posted a social media update confirming he had a chat with the Estonian prime minister about the Russian violation of the Estonian airspace earlier today.
“Nato’s response under Eastern Sentry was quick and decisive,” he says.
UK condemns ‘another reckless incursion into Nato airspace by Russia’
Meanwhile, UK foreign secretary Yvette Cooper also expressed the country’s solidarity with Estonia condemning “another reckless incursion into Nato airspace by Russia.”
“We must continue to increase pressure on Putin, including driving forward the important new economic sanctions announced by the UK & EU in recent days,” she said.
Estonia requests Nato Article 4 consultations — snap analysis
Jakub Krupa
This is the ninth time the Nato Article 4 procedure is getting triggered in the alliance’s history since 1949 – and the second in just over a week.
The procedure says that:
“The Parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the Parties is threatened.”
It was last triggered by Poland earlier this month after Russian drones incursion into its airspace, and previously by a group of countries in 2022 after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
It’s a clear sign that Estonia sees the incident as a direct threat to its security, and of growing regional concerns about Russia’s increasingly aggressive posture and provocations.
Estonia requests Nato Article 4 consultation over Russian fighter jets incident
Estonia has formally requested a Nato Article 4 consultation over the Russian violation of its airspace earlier today, the country’s prime minister Kristen Michal said.
In a post on X, he confirmed that three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace, and were confronted by Nato fighters, before they were “forced to flee.”
“Such violation is totally unacceptable,” Michal said.
Nato’s border ‘tested for reason,’ Lithuanian defence minister warns, references 2015 Turkish decision to shot Russian jet down
Lithuanian defence minister Dovilė Šakalienė is the latest European minister to respond to the incident over Estonia, saying it “is one more hard proof that #EasternSentry is long due.”
“Nato’s border in the North East is being tested for a reason. We need to mean business,” she said.
Curiously, she also referenced the 2015 incident in which the Turkish air force shot down a Russian jet after Ankara said it had violated the Turkish airspace.
“PS. Türkiye set an example 10 years ago. Some food for thought,” she said.
Poland says Russian jets performed low pass over Petrobaltic platform in Baltic Sea, violating safety zone
We are now getting a new line from Poland with the country’s Border Force reporting that two Russian fighter jets violated the safety zone of the Petrobaltic oil and gas exploration platform in the Baltic Sea by performing a low pass over the platform.
“The Polish Armed Forces and other authorities have been notified,” the force said.
‘Vigilance is price of freedom,’ German FM says as he condemn Russian incursion into Estonia
In his reaction, the German foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, went for a famous quote, often attributed to Thomas Jefferson, that “eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”
‘This principle of Nato has lost none of its relevance. The unacceptable violation of Estonian airspace by Russia today demonstrates this with utmost clarity,” he said on X.
He added:
“I have assured my colleague @Tsahkna of Germany’s full solidarity. By immediately intercepting the Russian aircraft, we demonstrate: The @Nato is always ready to defend.”
Russian incursion into Estonian airspace ‘direct threat to transatlantic security,’ Ukrainian foreign minister says
Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha also struck a similar tone, saying in his statement that “today’s incursion of three Russian fighter jets into Estonian airspace is another Russian escalation and a direct threat to transatlantic security.”
He added:
“Ukraine stands with Estonia in the face of Russia’s reckless intimidation. I agree with my Estonian friend @Tsahkna that half-measures are no longer enough.
Russia must face crushing political and economic pressure. As long as it doesn’t get a really strong response, Moscow will only get more arrogant and aggressive.
It’s time to put an end to Putin’s sense of impunity.”
Estonian incident shows ‘seriousness of Russian threat,’ Swedish PM says
Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson said the Russian incursion into Estonian airspace showed “the seriousness of the Russian threat to European security,” also warning that Nato’s readiness is “constantly being tested.”
He said:
“Highly concerning reports of Russian violation of Estonian airspace. This incident, like other recent Russian violations of Nato countries’ airspace, once again illustrates the seriousness of the Russian threat to European security and the fact that our and Nato’s readiness is constantly being tested.
The Swedish Air Force maintains a standing quick reaction alert to handle incidents such as this. As a Nato member, Sweden stands in solidarity with our allies and contributes to security in our region.”
Russia is ‘escalating tensions … and testing how far it can go,’ Czech PM warns
Czech prime minister Petr Fiala also warned that “Russia is further escalating tensions on Nato’s eastern border and testing how far it can go.”
“The violation of Estonian airspace demonstrates the aggression of Putin’s regime,” he said, urging the alliance to “resolutely strengthen our defence capabilities.”
Russia ‘directly threatens Euroatlantic security,’ Lithuania’s foreign minister says
Lithuanian foreign minister Kęstutis Budrys warned that Russia’s increasingly aggressive behaviour shows that Nato “is being tested militarily,” as he accused Moscow of “directly threatening Euroatlantic security.”
In a statement, he said:
“Russia directly threatens Euroatlantic security and tests Nato’s limits.
Today, 3 Russian fighter jets violated Estonian airspace. These provocations will only escalate until the Alliance fully transforms Baltic air policing into Baltic air defence, rotational air defense models become a reality and Estern Sentry comes up and running 24/7.
These are not accidents. The Alliance is being tested militarily. We must sharpen Nato’s posture to the point where no one dares to test our deterrence. #Lithuania stands in full solidarity with our ally #Estonia.”
EU’s Costa blasts ‘unacceptable provocation’ by Russia, says leaders will discuss at next summit
European Council president António Costa said the EU leaders will discuss “collective response to Russia’s action” at the upcoming informal European Council meeting in Copenhagen on 1 October.
In a post on X, he said:
“The European Union stands firmly in solidarity with [Estonia].
Today’s violation of Estonian airspace by three Russian military aircraft is another unacceptable provocation.
It underscores yet again the urgent need to reinforce our Eastern flank, deepen European defence cooperation, and intensify pressure on Russia.
We will address our collective response to Russia’s actions at the informal European Council meeting in Copenhagen on 1 October.”
Russian jets intercepted by Italian F-35s stationed in Estonia, army confirms
The Estonian army has confirmed that the Russian fighter jets were intercepted by Italian F-35s based in Ämari in Estonia as part of an air policing mission over the Baltic sea.
EU’s von der Leyen urges leaders to ‘swiftly’ adopt sanctions against Russia after Estonia incident
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has now weighed in on the Estonian incident too, linking it with the need to “swiftly” approve the new package of sanctions against Russia proposed earlier today (14:14, 14:16, 14:21, 14:43).
She said:
“Europe stands with Estonia in the face of Russia’s latest violation of our airspace.
We will respond to every provocation with determination while investing in a stronger Eastern flank.
As threats escalate, so too will our pressure.
I call on EU leaders to swiftly approve our 19th sanctions package.”
