Estonia has requested a consultation with other Nato members after Russian warplanes violated its airspace on Friday. Three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered the Estonian skies "without permission and remained there for a total of 12 minutes" over the Gulf of Finland, the government said.
Italy, Finland and Sweden scrambled jets under Nato's mission to bolster its eastern flank. A Nato spokesperson said it was "yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour and Nato's ability to respond". Russia denied violating Estonian airspace.
But tensions have been escalating recently, after Poland and Romania – both Nato members – said Russian drones breached their airspace. Article 4 of the Nato treaty formally starts urgent consultations within the 32-member alliance, which ties the US and many European nations together on collective defence.
It is the second time this month that a Nato member has requested Article 4 consultations. Poland did so on 10 September after Russian drones entered its airspace.
Published: September 19, 2025 5:43 pm
Source: BBC — Read original