Estonia airspace breach by Russian MiG‑31s fuels NATO alarm, U.S. leaders weigh response
Estonia says three Russian MiG‑31s — with transponders off, no flight plans and no radio contact — flew roughly five nautical miles into its airspace near Vaindloo Island and the Tallinn area for about 12 minutes before Italian F‑35s (with Swedish and Finnish participation) intercepted and forced them out; NATO and Estonian officials noted the jets could carry Kinzhal missiles, though it’s unclear if they were armed. The episode prompted Estonia to summon a Russian diplomat, launch NATO Article 4 consultations and an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting, spurred calls for tougher sanctions and responses from EU and Ukrainian leaders, and drew public backing from some U.S. officials for stronger measures, while Moscow denies any violation.
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📰 Sources (12)
Russia’s repeated flights over NATO countries prompt calls for action
New information:
- On the intercept, pilots exchanged visible gestures — Italian F‑35 pilots performed a 'wing rock' and Russian MiG‑31 pilots returned a wing rock and waved, an on-the-ground detail from Ämari Air Base.
- The article reports explicit calls from some European officials to shoot down Russian aircraft if they reenter NATO airspace and notes President Trump initially said he supported that idea before later saying U.S. support would depend on circumstances.
- Operational color: Italian F‑35 contingent at Ämari (Baltic Eagle III mission) scrambled multiple times in August–September, with Col. Gaetano Farina quoted describing repeated scrambles.
Waltz warns Putin Trump is ‘not messing around’ with call to shoot down Russian aircraft in NATO airspace
New information:
- U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz publicly backed President Trump’s suggestion that NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft that enter their airspace, saying "He's not messing around."
- Waltz said the administration "brought that message" to the Russian president "just yesterday," indicating direct diplomatic communication tied to the remark.
- Waltz confirmed on Fox News he supports stronger responses and deferred on details about lifting restrictions on weapons transfers to Ukraine to the president and senior national-security officials.
What to expect at this week’s U.N. General Assembly meetings
New information:
- Trump downplayed recent Russian drone incursions into Poland, saying they 'could have been a mistake.'
- Zelenskyy plans to meet Trump on the sidelines of UNGA and expects an 'intense week' of diplomacy.
- The UN Security Council is set to meet Tuesday specifically on the war in Ukraine.
Waltz promises US will defend 'every inch' of NATO territory after Russian jets flew into Estonia
New information:
- New U.S. UN Ambassador Mike Waltz publicly warned at UNGA that the U.S. and allies will defend 'every inch' of NATO territory and urged Russia to stop 'dangerous behavior.'
- Estonia’s foreign minister said the three MiG‑31s were armed, flew deep into Estonian airspace for 12 minutes, and approached closer to the Parliament area than in years.
- The UN Security Council met on Monday at Estonia’s request to address the incursion.
- Russia’s UN deputy representative dismissed the reports as 'groundless accusations' and 'Russophobic hysteria.'
- Context added: recent Russian drones entering Polish airspace and a Shahed drone found in Romania.
Russia's "brazen" NATO airspace violations head to UN Security Council
New information:
- The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting Monday to discuss Russia’s incursions into Estonia’s airspace, per Estonia and the UN.
- NATO said Italian F-35s based in Estonia intercepted the aircraft and that Swedish and Finnish aircraft also participated, per NATO Allied Command Operations.
- Estonia’s FM Margus Tsahkna labeled the incursion “unprecedentedly brazen” and urged a swift increase in political and economic pressure.
- Specific incursion detail reaffirmed: three Russian MiG-31 jets entered Estonia’s airspace for around 12 minutes before interception.
- Ukraine’s President Zelensky called for a “systematic response” to a systematic Russian campaign against Europe and NATO.
Full transcript of "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Sept. 7, 2025
New information:
- Macron asserts Russian airspace violations in Poland and Romania were 'no mistake' and part of a broader strategy to test NATO.
- He links the incursions to intensified Russian attacks on Kyiv, framing them as a wider campaign rather than isolated incidents.
Russia shifts from talk to action, targeting NATO homeland amid fears of global war
New information:
- Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene told Fox News Digital that Russia’s actions are 'deliberate provocations' testing NATO’s readiness and resolve, warning of miscalculation.
- Fox reports three Russian fighter jets flew over Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, in a clear airspace violation, presented as part of a broader pattern (prior reporting focused on Vaindloo Island).
- The piece frames Estonia’s move as triggering Article 4 consultations amid a second such invocation in weeks and links it to recent multi‑country drone incursions and shoot‑downs over Poland.
Ukrainian officials say 3 dead, dozens wounded in Russian attack
New information:
- Russia’s Ministry of Defense officially denied any violation of Estonia’s airspace, saying three MiG‑31s stayed more than 1.8 miles from Vaindloo Island and complied with international rules.
- Moscow described the flight as a scheduled transit from Karelia to Kaliningrad and claimed 'objective monitoring' confirmed no border breach.
- CBS reiterates Estonia’s summons of a Russian diplomat and move to start Article 4 consultations following the alleged 12‑minute incursion.
Estonia says 3 Russian fighter jets entered its airspace in ‘brazen’ incursion
New information:
- Estonia summoned a Russian diplomat to protest the airspace violation.
- Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said the government decided to start consultations among allies under NATO Article 4.
- NATO spokesperson Allison Hart publicly labeled the episode another example of 'reckless Russian behavior.'
- Estonian military spokesman Maj. Taavi Karotamm said the jets flew parallel to the border from east to west and did not head toward Tallinn.
Russian fighter jets violated Estonian airspace for 12 minutes, officials say
New information:
- Estonia’s military specified the Russian jets had no flight plans, transponders were off, and there was no two‑way radio contact with Estonian ATC.
- The incursion occurred in the area of Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland.
- NATO spokesperson Allison Hart posted that NATO intercepted the violating aircraft.
- EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a proposed 19th sanctions package and urged swift approval by member states.
- Kaja Kallas, as EU foreign policy chief, called it the third EU airspace violation in days and an 'extremely dangerous provocation.'
- Estonia’s foreign minister said Russia has already violated Estonia’s airspace four times this year.
Russian jets carrying ballistic missiles violate Estonian airspace, foreign minister says
New information:
- Three Russian MiG‑31s allegedly flew ~5 nm inside Estonia’s airspace near Tallinn for ~12 minutes
- Italian F‑35s responded and forced the aircraft to leave Estonian airspace
- Estonia is considering invoking NATO Article 4 consultations after four prior violations this year
Russian jets violate Estonian airspace, foreign minister says
New information:
- Estonia’s foreign minister says Russia has already violated Estonia’s airspace four times this year and calls today’s three‑jet incursion 'unprecedentedly brazen.'
- Fox’s NATO sources say the MiG‑31s were capable of carrying Kinzhal missiles but it is unclear if they actually were.
- The jets were inside Estonian airspace for over 12 minutes before Italian F‑35s pushed them out.