Overview

• Estonia’s Defence Ministry said three Russian MiG-31s entered its airspace over Vaindloo island for nearly 12 minutes without flight plans, with transponders off and no radio contact.
• Italian Air Force F-35s based at Ämari under NATO’s Baltic Air Policing responded to the incursion, according to Estonian officials.
• The Foreign Ministry summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires and delivered a protest note over the latest violation.
• Officials said it is the fourth Russian breach of Estonian airspace this year, with Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna calling the episode blatantly unprecedented and urging increased political and economic pressure.
• The incident follows recent Russian drone violations over Poland and coincides with NATO’s new Centinela Oriental reinforcement effort, to which multiple allies have pledged assets.