Overview

• The European Commission adopted its 19th sanctions package targeting Russia, with new designations and financial curbs and an accelerated plan to ban imports of Russian liquefied natural gas starting January 1, 2027, pending member‑state approval.
• Commissioners outlined a proposed repair loan for Ukraine funded by liquid balances generated from frozen Russian assets, with repayment beginning only after Russia pays war reparations and with legal and unanimity hurdles still under negotiation.
• Estonia reported that three Russian MiG‑31s entered its airspace for about 12 minutes without a flight plan or radio contact, prompting a quick‑reaction scramble by Italian F‑35s from Ämari that intercepted and escorted the jets away.
• Tallinn summoned the Russian chargé d’affaires and requested NATO consultations under Article 4, while the Russian Defense Ministry publicly denied any airspace violation.
• NATO is strengthening air patrols under operation Sentinella est with contributions from several allies, and Poland scrambled jets overnight as Russia conducted large missile and drone strikes against Ukraine.