War in Europe

Estonia, Russian jets violate airspace. PM invokes Nato article 4. Russian fighters also over the Baltic Sea

The EU Commission adopted the 19th sanctions package against Russia

19 September 2025

La Commissione Ue annuncia l'adozione del 19esimo pacchetto di sanzioni contro la Russia

4' min read

Key points

Politician: Italian F-35s in the air to repel Russian jets
Tallin: "Unprecedented violation"
Kallas: 'Russian jets in Estonia dangerous provocation'
Tajani: "Putin avoids provocation, no one is intimidated"
Russian business officer called to Tallinn
Von der Leyen: 'We will respond to Moscow's provocations'
Kiev: "Russian jets in Estonia direct threat to Nato security"

4' min read

Estonian airspace was violated by Russian military jets. This was reported by European and NATO sources. According to Estonian government statements, three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace without authorisation and remained there for a total of 12 minutes. The country's Defence Minister called the incident 'of unprecedented brutality' and the government intends to send a protest note to the highest Russian diplomat in Estonia. This is the third Russian violation of NATO airspace in a short space of time, following the Russian drone raids in Poland and Romania.

Trump: 'Russian jets in Estonia a big problem'

US President Donald Trump said his aides would soon brief him on the matter of the violation of Estonia's airspace by Russian jets. "I don't like it," he said quoted by Ap online, "I don't like it when it happens. It could be a big problem."

Premier Estonia invokes NATO Article 4

"This morning, three Russian Mig-31 fighters entered Estonian airspace. NATO fighters responded and the Russian planes were forced to flee. Such a violation is totally unacceptable. The Government of Estonia has decided to request consultations under Article 4 of NATO."

This is what Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal writes in a post on X. Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty provides that 'the parties shall consult each other whenever, in the opinion of either party, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of either party is threatened'. Article 4, the Guardian points out, has been invoked nine times since the creation of NATO in 1949. This is the second time in a few days.

Poland, Russian jets low over Baltic shelf

In the evening, Poland's Border Police said that two Russian fighter jets violated the security zone of the Petrobaltic oil and gas exploration platform in the Baltic Sea by conducting a low-level flyover over the platform. "The Polish Armed Forces and other authorities have been informed," the police said, quoted by the Guardian.

Droni russi in Polonia, il tetto di una casa distrutto

Two Italian F-35s in the air to fend off Russian jets

Nato has scrambled Italian F-35s to repel the violation of Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland today. According to Politico, NATO has ordered the Italian F-35s to intercept the three Russian MiG-31 aircraft flying over Estonian airspace. The MiG-31s, heavy interceptors capable of carrying the Russian Kinzhal hypersonic missile, crossed about five nautical miles inside Estonian territory and headed towards the capital Tallinn, according to Politico.

The two Italian F35s took off flying from the Amari base, after the NATO radar systems detected the presence of the Russian aircraft, for a 'scramble', the order to take off on alert. With the overflight of the Italian F35s, which took off in 'Qra' (quick reaction alert) mode, the Russian aircraft then took off. The Italian detachment, made up of F35s from the 13th group of the 32nd Wing in Amendola and constantly on a state of rapid alert, is deployed in Estonia to ensure the surveillance of Baltic airspace as part of NATO air policing activities on the eastern flank.

"I have just spoken with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal about today's violation of Russian airspace. Nato's response under the Eastern Sentinel Command was swift and decisive,' Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte wrote on X.

Romania: "Drone russo ha violato nostro spazio aereo"

Tallin: 'Unprecedented violation'

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that Russia had already violated Estonian airspace four times this year, 'which is in itself unacceptable. "It is necessary to respond to Russia's increasing border controls and aggression by rapidly strengthening political and economic pressure," he added.

Kallas: 'Russian jets in Estonia dangerous provocation'

"Today's violation of Estonia's airspace by Russian military aircraft constitutes an extremely dangerous provocation. This is the third violation of EU airspace in a few days, which further aggravates tensions in the region. The EU expresses its full solidarity with Estonia'. This was written by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas. "I am in close contact with the Estonian government. We will continue to support our member states in strengthening their defences with European resources. Putin is testing the resolve of the West. We must not show weakness."

Tajani: 'Russian jets a bad sign, avoid escalation'

What happened in Estonia 'was an unacceptable violation of the airspace of a European country, therefore of the European Union and Nato'. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told Tg2 Post. "These are certainly provocations, messages of force, attempts to understand how the European defences react" and "a muscle test", but "we must avoid that then the situation gets worse. It is a bad signal, we have responded in a timely manner and we are not frightened by Putin's threats. But an escalation must be avoided'.

Russian business officer summoned to Tallinn

Estonia summoned the Russian Chargé d'Affaires in Tallinn following the violation of its airspace by three Mig-31. Politico reported this, recalling that in recent days 19 suspected Russian drones violated Polish airspace, with Warsaw invoking NATO Article 4. Romania, more recently, also blamed Russia for the violation of its airspace by a drone.

Von der Leyen: 'We will respond to Moscow's provocations'

"Europe stands in solidarity with Estonia in the face of the latest violation of our airspace by Russia. We will respond with determination to any provocation, while investing in a strengthening of the eastern flank. As the threats intensify, so will our pressure. I call on EU leaders to quickly approve our 19th sanctions package'. This was written on X by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Von der Leyen: 'Europe stands by Estonia'

"Europe stands by Estonia in the face of the latest violation of our airspace by Russia," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on her X profile today. "We will respond to any provocation with determination, investing in strengthening our eastern flank. As the threats intensify, our pressure will also increase," he continued.

"I call on EU leaders to quickly approve our 19th sanctions package," von der Leyen concluded.

Kiev: 'Russian jets in Estonia direct threat to NATO security'

'Today's incursion of three Russian fighter jets into Estonian airspace represents further Russian escalation and a direct threat to transatlantic security'. This was stated by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha quoted by the Guardian. "Ukraine stands by Estonia in the face of Russia's reckless intimidation. I agree with my Estonian friend Margus Tsahkna that half-measures are no longer enough. Russia faces overwhelming political and economic pressure. Until it gets a really strong response, Moscow will only become more arrogant and aggressive. It is time to put an end to Putin's sense of impunity'.

Brazil urges restraint after airspace violation

"We urge the parties to show restraint and avoid any kind" of situation "that could lead to more serious incidents". Thus Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, responding to a question on the violation of Estonia's airspace by Russian jets, at a joint press conference with EU High Representative Kaja Kallas in Brasilia.