Estonia accused Russia of violating its airspace after three MiG-31 jets entered without clearance, stayed 12 minutes, and ignored repeated contact. Officials said the maneuver was deliberate, not accidental, prompting Tallinn to invoke NATO’s Article 4 consultations, signaling a direct threat. Estonia summoned a Russian diplomat and lodged a protest, calling this the most serious violation of 2025.
U.S. President Donald Trump warned it could mean “big trouble,” balancing deterrence with restraint. Poland and Lithuania condemned the move, while Germany and France urged calm. Russia dismissed the incident as “routine training.” Analysts cautioned that such provocations risk escalation but stressed measured responses. NATO will meet next week to discuss stronger Baltic patrols, sanctions, and possible warnings.
