Overview
- Estonia said the jets crossed near Vaindloo in the Gulf of Finland with transponders off, no flight plan and no radio contact with air traffic control.
- Tallinn summoned the Russian chargé d'affaires and issued a formal protest, calling the fourth incursion this year brazen and unprecedented.
- NATO said it responded immediately with an interception; an alliance official reported three Italian F-35s were mobilized, and NATO said Sweden and Finland also launched quick-reaction aircraft.
- EU officials, including Ursula von der Leyen and Kaja Kallas, condemned the violation and signaled support for tougher measures against Russia.
- The episode follows recent airspace incidents involving Russian drones over Poland and a breach reported by Romania; Russia offered no immediate substantive comment.