Estonia says a Russian SU-30 briefly entered its airspace near Vaindloo Island and remained for about one minute. NATO's Baltic Air Policing responded quickly, with Italian Air Force units scrambled to intercept. Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said there was no threat to Estonia's security. Tallinn summoned the acting head of Russia's mission in protest; Moscow has not commented.
Estonia Says Russian SU-30 Briefly Entered Airspace Near Vaindloo, NATO Jets Intercepted
FILE PHOTO: Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna speaks during an interview with Reuters, at the Estonian embassy, in Beijing, China November 5, 2025. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo
Estonia reported that a Russian SU-30 fighter briefly violated its airspace on Wednesday near Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland, prompting a swift NATO Baltic Air Policing response, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said.
The foreign ministry said the aircraft entered Estonian airspace and remained for about one minute. "There was no threat to Estonia's security," Tsahkna added.
Rapid NATO Response
NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission quickly deployed interceptor jets, with Italian Air Force units scrambled to the area, according to Tsahkna. Estonian authorities described the response as timely and precautionary.
Diplomatic Reaction and Context
Estonia summoned the acting head of the Russian diplomatic mission in Tallinn to lodge a formal protest over the incident. The Russian embassy in Estonia did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Reuters by phone and email.
In September of the previous year, Estonia said three Russian military jets violated its airspace for some 12 minutes in what Tallinn called an "unprecedentedly brazen" incursion; Moscow's Defence Ministry denied that earlier claim.
Key Point: Estonian officials emphasized that the brief incursion did not pose a direct security threat but reinforced the importance of allied air policing in the Baltics.
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