The Russian Defense Ministry has denied that its warplanes entered Estonia’s airspace on Friday.
The Baltic EU and NATO state had claimed that three aircraft violated its airspace for 12 minutes in what it called an “unprecedented brazen” incursion.
In a brief statement on Saturday, the Defense Ministry said three MiG-31s were conducting a routine flight from Karelia Region, east of Finland, to an airfield in Kaliningrad Region, a Russian exclave bordering Poland and Lithuania.
The jets flew over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea, more than 3 kilometers from Estonia’s Vaindloo island, “without violating Estonian airspace,” the MOD said.
“The flight was carried out in strict accordance with international airspace regulations and without crossing the borders of other countries,” the ministry added.
Estonia has requested urgent consultations with its fellow NATO members, activating Article 4 of the alliance’s treaty. “NATO’s response to any provocation must be united and strong. We consider it essential to consult with our allies to ensure shared situational awareness and to agree on our next joint steps,” Prime Minister Kristen Michal said.
On September 9, Poland accused Russia of sending at least 19 drones into its airspace, a claim Moscow has denied. NATO responded by deploying additional aircraft to patrol Polish skies.
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