15:37 23-09-2025

NATO Accuses Russia of Airspace Violation, Tensions Rise

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NATO accuses Russia of violating airspace over Estonia, pledging defense measures. Tensions escalate as NATO invokes collective defense principles under Article 5.

Following urgent consultations initiated by Estonia, NATO member countries accused Russia of violating their airspace, claiming that Russian fighter jets had entered their sovereign skies. In a joint statement, NATO officials emphasized that Russia is responsible for actions that could escalate tensions, and they pledged to use all available military means to defend themselves.

The statement made clear that NATO and its allies, acting in accordance with international law, would employ both military and non-military measures to defend themselves and deter any threats from all directions. NATO further asserted that their commitment to Article 5 — which outlines collective defense in the event of an attack on any NATO member — remains unwavering. The alliance stressed that they would respond at a time, place, and in a manner of their choosing.

This marks the second NATO meeting under Article 4 of the NATO Treaty in the past two weeks. The previous consultations, held on September 10, were convened following a report from Poland about violations of its airspace by Russian drones. This time, the discussions were prompted by Estonia’s accusations, claiming that three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets had entered Estonian airspace from the direction of the Gulf of Finland, remaining in the sky over Estonia for 12 minutes.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense countered by asserting that the flight had been conducted in full compliance with international regulations and that no borders had been crossed. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, dismissed Estonia’s accusations as unfounded, arguing that such statements only served to heighten regional tensions.