Moscow responds to claims of unauthorized entry into airspace territory
In a series of incidents that have further escalated tensions in the Baltic region, Russian MiG-31 fighter jets have been reported to have flown over Estonian and Polish airspace this week. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the incident in Estonia as a systematic Russian campaign against Europe, NATO, and the West. The Estonian government, on the other hand, claims that three Russian fighter jets violated its airspace, entering unannounced near the island of Vaindloo and staying for 12 minutes. However, the Russian government denies these claims. The Russian aircraft did not deviate from the agreed flight route and did not violate Estonian airspace, according to the Russian ministry. The ministry adds that the route over the Petrobaltic oil platform was more than three kilometers north of Vaindloo, and the safety zone was violated, but the state border was not crossed. NATO immediately responded by intercepting the Russian aircraft, according to a NATO spokeswoman. Poland also requested consultations under Article 4 following the incident. The Polish air force and other NATO allies shot down some drones during a Russian air strike on Ukraine last week. The incident in Estonia is the third violation of EU airspace in a few days, according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. She described the incident as "an extremely dangerous provocation." Kallas also mentioned that the Polish oil platform in the Baltic Sea was approached by two Russian fighter jets at low altitude. The Petrobaltic oil platform is owned by the Polish concern Orlen Petrobaltic and is located in the Polish economic zone of the Baltic Sea, about 70 km north of Jastarnia. The Russian fighter jets flew over the platform at a height of 150 meters, but the names of the pilots are not disclosed in the available sources. Italian Air Force F-35 fighter jets escorted the Russian combat aircraft to the Kaliningrad region, as per Estonian reports. The aircraft reportedly did not transmit flight plans, had their electronic identification turned off, and did not maintain radio contact with Estonian air traffic control. Zelensky called for firm actions to be taken, both collectively and individually by each nation, in response to these incidents. The Russian defense ministry states that the flight was conducted strictly in accordance with international airspace rules. However, the lack of communication and the repeated violations have raised concerns among NATO members and EU countries. These claims could not be independently verified. The incidents come at a time when tensions between Russia and the West are already high due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The international community is closely monitoring the situation and calling for de-escalation and respect for international law.
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