NATO Warns Russia After Airspace Violations Over Estonia and Poland

NATO issued a stern warning to Russia on Tuesday, vowing to use “all necessary military and non-military tools” to defend its allies after Russian jets violated Estonian airspace. Estonia reported that three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets crossed into its territory for 12 minutes before being escorted out by NATO Italian fighter jets. The incident, seen as a deliberate test of NATO’s resolve, prompted Estonia to invoke Article 4 of NATO’s founding treaty, leading to a meeting of the North Atlantic Council.

The airspace breach over Estonia followed another serious violation the previous week, when around 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace. NATO jets intercepted some of the drones, and the alliance subsequently strengthened defenses along Europe’s eastern flank. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the Russian aircraft had not been shot down as they posed no immediate threat, but stressed that commanders had the authority to take “the ultimate decision” if future intrusions were deemed dangerous.

In a statement, NATO accused Russia of “escalatory” actions that risk miscalculation and endanger lives, while reaffirming its support for Ukraine’s right to self-defense against Moscow’s war. This marks only the ninth invocation of Article 4 in NATO’s 76-year history, and the second time this month following the incidents over Poland and Estonia. Russia, however, rejected the allegations, dismissing them as attempts by Tallinn and Warsaw to fuel tensions with the West.

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