NATO-Russia, Rutte: ‘Moscow is endangering Europe, we are ready to defend ourselves’

NATO-Russia: Atlantic Council condemns Russian fighter jets’ incursion into Estonian airspace and reaffirms commitment to protect Allies

NATO strongly condemns the incursion of three Russian Mig-31 fighter jets into Estonian airspace on 19 September, calling the incident ‘dangerous and irresponsible’ and highlighting the risks of escalation and miscalculation that endanger human lives.

During the violation, which lasted more than ten minutes, allied aircraft took off to intercept and escort the Mig-31s out of Estonian airspace. Alliance Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasised the effectiveness of air defences and the operational readiness of pilots, highlighting how the action is part of the “Eastern Sentry” mission to strengthen the defensive posture along Europe’s eastern flank.

NATO-Russia: Atlantic Council reaffirms commitment to Article 5

The Atlantic Council reaffirmed the Allies’ commitment to Article 5 of the NATO Treaty, ensuring that any threats to airspace will be addressed promptly, with military and non-military means, while continuously assessing the level of risk. The Estonian violation follows other similar incidents recently recorded in Poland, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Romania, confirming a pattern of Russian behaviour considered “irresponsible”.

According to NATO, Russia’s continued pressure on the Allies reinforces the need to consolidate deterrence, air defence and coordination capabilities among member countries to ensure collective security and prevent incidents that could escalate.

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