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2h ago

Estonia Seeks NATO Talks After 12-Minute Airspace Incursion, UK Jets Launch Eastern Sentry Patrols

Tallinn cites radar and visual confirmation despite Moscow's denial.

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British Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons fly during a media day illustrating how NATO Air Policing safeguards the Allies' airspace in the northern and northeastern region of the Alliance, July 4, 2023. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw/File Photo
Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna (Photo: Reuters)
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Overview

  • Three Russian MiG-31s entered Estonian airspace near Vaindloo for about 12 minutes on Friday, according to Tallinn, with Finnish fighters tracking them before Italian F-35s took over.
  • Estonia says the pilots acknowledged radio but ignored signals, flew without filed flight plans, kept transponders off and did not contact air traffic control.
  • NATO said allied aircraft responded immediately and intercepted the jets, with no use of force reported.
  • Russia’s Defence Ministry denies any breach, saying the flight transited from Karelia to Kaliningrad over neutral waters more than 3 km from Vaindloo.
  • Estonia has requested NATO consultations under Article 4, as the UK flew its first Eastern Sentry RAF Typhoonatrol over PoPoland after recent Russian drone violations.