Overview

• Estonia reported that three MiG-31s entered its airspace near Vaindloo over the Gulf of Finland for about 12 minutes with transponders off and no filed flight plan.
• NATO said allied fighters intercepted the aircraft immediately, and an alliance official reported that three Italian F-35s took part in the response.
• Estonia summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires and lodged a formal protest as Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna called the incursion brazen and unprecedented.
• Russia denied any violation, saying its jets flew over neutral Baltic waters and did not cross Estonia’s borders.
• Estonia requested Article 4 consultations, with NATO and EU leaders condemning the action and allies heightening vigilance on the eastern flank ahead of meetings next week.