Russia Warned by NATO Over Airspace Incursions as Tensions Escalate

NATO leaders have delivered a forceful warning to Russia after a string of airspace violations by Russian military assets over the past two weeks, including drone and fighter jet incursions into Poland and Estonia. According to Reuters and multiple European news agencies, the most recent incident involved three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entering Estonian airspace for 12 minutes, flying without flight plans or transponders and ignoring communications from NATO pilots. The Estonian military reported that the jets penetrated as far as 10 kilometers into national territory, coming within minutes of the capital, Tallinn. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described the alliance’s response as “quick and decisive,” with Italian F-35s from the Baltic Air Policing Mission scrambling to intercept the Russian aircraft, while Sweden and Finland also launched quick-reaction jets.

Estonia formally invoked Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which calls for urgent consultations among member states when a nation’s security is threatened. This marked the second invocation of Article 4 in less than two weeks, following a major Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace earlier this month. In that incident, nearly two dozen drones, allegedly launched from Russia, entered Polish territory, prompting the closure of several airports and the scrambling of Polish and allied NATO aircraft. Dutch F-35s shot down several drones, and German Patriot missile batteries were placed on high alert. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the drone incursion a “direct threat” and warned that conflict was closer “than at any time since the Second World War.”

NATO’s North Atlantic Council convened an emergency session to address the escalating crisis, with alliance members condemning Russia’s actions as reckless and provocative. The United Kingdom and Poland publicly stated they would not hesitate to shoot down Russian aircraft should further violations occur. NATO also announced the launch of Operation Eastern Sentry, a new mission to reinforce air and land defenses along the alliance’s eastern flank. France, Germany, Denmark, and the United Kingdom have pledged additional military assets, including fighter jets and anti-aircraft systems, to bolster deterrence in the region.

Russia’s Defense Ministry has denied any wrongdoing, claiming its aircraft were operating in international airspace and accusing NATO of fabricating incidents to justify increased military deployments. However, Western officials and independent analysts have pointed to a pattern of deliberate Russian maneuvers designed to test NATO’s resolve and sow division among alliance members. Dr. David Jordan of the Freeman Air and Space Institute at King’s College London described the incursions as “accidental on purpose,” suggesting Moscow aims to pressure NATO countries to reconsider their support for Ukraine by raising the specter of a wider conflict.

The United Nations Security Council has also taken up the issue, with Estonia and Poland requesting urgent briefings on the violations. During these sessions, European and North American members of the Council condemned Russia’s actions and reiterated their commitment to defending every inch of NATO territory. Russia, in turn, rejected the accusations as baseless and accused its neighbors of escalating tensions for political gain.

The recent airspace violations come against the backdrop of intensified Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and ongoing joint military exercises between Russia and Belarus. NATO officials have warned that the repeated incursions risk destabilizing regional security and could lead to unintended escalation if not checked. The alliance has called on Russia to cease its provocative actions and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all neighboring states.