Estonia says Russian jets carrying ballistic missiles violated its airspace, prompting NATO consultations

Three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets carrying high-speed air-launched ballistic missiles violated Estonia’s airspace on Friday, flying about five nautical miles inside the border toward Tallinn for more than 12 minutes before Italian F-35 fighters pushed them out, according to Estonia’s foreign minister and two NATO sources who spoke to Fox News Digital. The incursion occurred as Moscow continues to test boundaries around NATO’s eastern flank, and officials said the episode underscores the fragility of regional airspace security.

Estonian Foreign Minister Tsahkna described the incursion as “unprecedentedly brazen,” saying Russia’s ongoing testing of boundaries and growing aggressiveness must be met with a swift increase in political and economic pressure. Tsahkna also indicated that Estonia is weighing a request for Article 4 consultations with NATO, a diplomatic step that signals concern and invites allied discussion without automatically triggering military action.

Two NATO officials told Fox News Digital that the three jets remained inside Estonian airspace for the duration of their flight, moving back and forth in a pattern before being escorted out by Italian air defenses operating from a nearby base. The jets were described as MiG-31s and were said to be carrying Kinzhals, the hypersonic missiles Russia has touted in recent years. The incident highlights concerns among Baltic allies about Russia’s willingness to probe border airspace and the potential for miscalculation in a high-tension security environment.

The episode comes amid broader regional tensions as allied forces monitor Moscow’s activities near the alliance’s borders. Officials stressed that Kinzhals are capable of rapid, high-precision strikes and that their presence in a border crossing scenario intensifies calls for deterrence and readiness across NATO’s eastern flank. While the collision of interests remains a diplomatic and military gray zone, analysts say the episode is likely to feed discussions about strengthening airspace resistance, intelligence sharing, and search-and-rescue coordination in the Baltic region.

Separately, Poland reported that Russia breached its airspace with more than a dozen drones during a major bombardment of Ukraine, a development Warsaw described as an “act of aggression.” Polish authorities said 19 drones crossed into Polish territory from Belarus and Ukraine, forcing temporary airport closures and prompting NATO and Polish air defenses to respond. Prime Minister Donald Tusk invoked Article 4 consultations with NATO in response, signaling a warning without an automatic military obligation for allied forces to intervene.

White House officials could not be reached for comment on Friday, and a White House statement was not immediately available as leaders assessed the latest cross-border activity. NATO and Estonia have repeatedly stressed the importance of unity and deterrence in the Baltic region, with officials saying Article 4 consultations remain a diplomatic tool to coordinate allied assessments and responses when a member’s territorial integrity or security is perceived to be under threat.

Estonia noted the ongoing pattern of Russian border activity this year, saying the airspace violations had occurred four times previously in 2024. The government has signaled that it may seek stronger responses from its allies, including increased political and economic pressure on Moscow, if provocations persist.

Analysts say the cluster of incidents signals Moscow’s intent to keep Western capitals vigilant and to test the resilience of European security architectures, even as NATO members emphasize defense and deterrence plans. Observers caution that Article 4 consultations are advisory and do not compel a collective military response, but they serve as a collective warning that allies are monitoring a shifting security landscape along NATO’s eastern flank.

The situation remains fluid, and officials cautioned that possible follow-up steps—including further consultations, enhanced air reconnaissance, or boosted patrols—could be discussed in the coming days as allied leaders coordinate a unified stance. As Baltic and Central European capitals monitor the wider implications, authorities say continued diplomacy and readiness will be essential to maintaining stability in a volatile region.