Estonia Seeks NATO Article 4 Consultations Following Russian Airspace Violation, Marking Second Invocation This Month

Italian Air Force F-35s, deployed at Ämari under NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission, escorted the intruders out of Estonian airspace without further escalation.

BALTIC REGION — On September 19, three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland near Vaindloo Island, entering without flight plans while their transponders remained off during the incident.

Russian MiG-31. Credit: Dmitriy Pichugin (GFDL 1.2 or GFDL 1.2, via Wikimedia

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No radio communication occurred with Estonian air traffic control, marking a serious breach. The violation lasted approximately 12 minutes, during which NATO fighters intercepted the aircraft.

Italian Air Force F-35s, deployed at Ämari under NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission, escorted the intruders out of Estonian airspace without further escalation.

Estonian authorities summoned the Russian Chargé d’Affaires and delivered a diplomatic note to protest the incident formally. Officials described the act as unacceptable, prompting the government to request consultations under NATO Article 4.

Article 4 aims to ensure shared situational awareness among allies and to agree on joint responses to such threats. Estonia's decision aligns with efforts to maintain unity in the face of repeated violations.

This invocation marks the second this month, following Poland, after Russian drones violated Polish airspace several times.

There have been four Russian airspace violations against Estonia this year to date, with previous incidents involving fighter jets that highlighted ongoing tensions. Similar breaches have occurred in neighboring countries like Poland, Romania, and Latvia, indicating a regional pattern.

These events underscore the need for coordinated alliance actions. NATO's framework supports member states in addressing security concerns collectively.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna stated, "This is a grave and unacceptable provocation. Our response must be united and firm." Prime Minister Kristen Michal noted, "Such a violation is totally unacceptable. The Government of Estonia has decided to request NATO Article 4 consultations."

Incident Details: