In the activation of Article 4 of NATO, Estonia has decided to proceed after a double challenge in the Baltic region by Russia, first violating the Estonian Virgin by three Russian fighters intercepted by NATO F-35, and by two NATO f-35s. Polish interests.
The tension rose sharply to the Baltic and again throughout the Eastern NATO wing earlier in the afternoon, when Tallinn announced that Russian had violated the airspace, signifying alarm in the country, but also throughout NATO’s eastern wing. According to the infringement, three MIG-31 fighter aircraft were involved in the breach, which entered the Estonian airspace without license and remained there for a total of 12 minutes. Shortly afterwards, while still the governments of Estonia’s allies reacted to the first challenge, the Polish border guard said that two other Russian fighters threw low over the Petrobaltic platform in the Baltic Sea, which is Polish interests.
This double incident is just more than a week after more than 20 Russian drones entered the Polish airspace on the night of September 9th to 10th, pushing NATO fighter aircraft to break down some of them and Western officials to declare that Russia wanted to try it.
As with Poland, as in the case of Estonia, NATO immediately reacted and intercepted the Russian aircraft that violated Estonian airspace, Alliance spokesman Alison Hart said in a statement on X.
“This is another example of a reckless Russian behavior and NATO’s ability to react,” the spokesman said. As it became known, the Russian MIG-31 were intercepted by Italian F-35s parked at the Emari base.
It’s not the first time, says the Estonian government
“Russia has violated Estonian airspace four times this year, which is unacceptable in itself, but today’s breach, in which three fighter aircraft entered our airspace is unprecedented brazen,” Foreign Minister Marga said.
“The ever -increasing trials against border and its aggression from Russia must be tackled by the rapid reinforcement of political and economic pressure,” he added.
Estonia said it had a note of protest to the supreme Russian diplomat in that country in the Baltic.
A staunch supporter of Ukraine, Tallinn said in May that Moscow had sent a fighter aircraft to NATO member airspace over the Baltic Sea for a short time, during an attempt to stop a oil tanker destined for Russia.
A few hours later Tallinn decided to activate Article 4 of NATO to launch security consultations with the Estonian allies.
The EU reacts to the Russian “dangerous challenge”
The breach of Estonia’s airspace, a NATO member, by three Russian military aircraft today, is a “very dangerous challenge,” said European diplomat Kaya Callas.
“This marks the third similar violation of the EU airspace within a few days and further escalates tensions to the area,” Callas said in a report on X.
“We will continue to support our Member States to strengthen their defense with European resources. Putin tests the determination of the West. We must not show weakness, “he continued.
For its part, European Commission President Ursula von der Laien said: “Europe is standing on the side of Estonia against this latter breach of Russia’s airspace. We will respond to every challenge with determination, while we will invest in strengthening our eastern side. As the threats escalate, so will the pressure we exert. I call on EU leaders to quickly approve the 19th sanctions package. “
Correspondingly, European Council President Antonio Costa said that EU leaders would discuss “a collective response to Russia’s actions” at the upcoming European Council of Copenhagen on October 1, while describing the breach of Estonian.
Intense reactions and by European governments
A number of politicians and officials by governments of NATO member states condemned the violation of the Estonian area of Estonia.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fyel argued that “Russia is further escalating tensions on the eastern border of NATO and is trying out how far it can reach.”
“The breach of Estonian airspace demonstrates the aggression of Putin’s regime,” he said and urged the alliance: “to decisively strengthen our defensive potential.”
Similarly, Swedish Prime Minister Ulphrinson said the Russian invasion of Estonian airspace showed “the seriousness of the Russian threat to European security”, while warning that NATO’s readiness is “constantly being tested”.
As he characteristically stated: “Highly alarming reports of Russian violation of the Estonian airspace. This incident, like other recent Russian violations of NATO airspace, highlights once again the seriousness of the Russian threat to European security and the fact that our readiness and NATO is constantly tested. The Swedish Air Force is on a constant rapid reaction alert to address incidents like this. As a member of NATO, Sweden stands in solidarity with our allies and contributes to security in our region. “
Particularly intense was the intervention of Lithuania’s Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene on the issue. Sakaliene stressed that this latter violation is “another uninterrupted proof that #Easternsentry is late. NATO borders in the northeast are tested for some reason. We have to be serious. ” In her post in the social media, she even made a reference to the collapse of a Russian fighter from Turkey to Syria in 2015, writing: “PS. Turkey set the example 10 years ago. Some food for thought. “
The incident was also commented on by German Foreign Minister Johann Vandeful, who argued that NATO was always ready to defend and described the breach of Estonia’s airspace by Russia “unacceptable”. According to him, Estonia has the full solidarity of Germany.
Estonia was also on the UK Secretary of the United Kingdom, Ivet Cooper, who condemned “the reckless invasion of NATO’s airspace from Russia”. As he said: “We must continue to increase pressure on Putin, including promoting the significant new economic sanctions announced by the United Kingdom and the EU in recent days.”
Intervention and by Kiev
The incident was also commented on by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Simbicha, who stressed that: “Today’s invasion of three Russian fighter aircraft into Estonian airspace is yet another Russian escalation and immediate threat to transatlantic security. Ukraine stands on the side of Estonia against Russia’s cruel intimidation. I agree with my Estonian friend @tsahkna that the halves are no longer enough. Russia must face overwhelming policy and economic pressure. As long as it does not receive a truly strong answer, Moscow will only become more arrogant and aggressive. It’s time to end Putin’s impunity. “
