Eduardo González
Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares condemned this Friday the “unacceptable” violation of Latvian airspace by “three Russian warplanes.”
“The intrusion of three Russian warplanes into Estonian airspace is an unacceptable violation of its sovereignty,” the minister wrote on social media. “Spain stands in solidarity with Estonia, a partner and ally, and reiterates its commitment to its security,” he continued. “Our response: unity and firmness,” he concluded.
Estonia denounced this Friday that three Russian MiG-31 aircraft penetrated its airspace for approximately 12 minutes without a flight plan, with transponders turned off and without communication, in what the government described as a “blatant and unprecedented” violation. The incident comes just days after a Russian drone incursion in Poland, increasing tensions on NATO’s eastern flank. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the act and urged strengthening European security and swift sanctions against Russia.
Just over a week ago, more than 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace during the night of September 9-10. Polish authorities, with the support of NATO allies, shot down several of the aircraft and requested consultations under Article 4, invoked when a member considers its collective security threatened. The European community condemned the incursion as a serious violation of sovereignty, underscoring the need for coordinated action.
Friday’s incident involved three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets that entered Estonian airspace without permission and remained for about 12 minutes near Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland. The aircraft had no flight plans, their transponders were turned off, and they were not communicating with Estonian air control services. NATO quickly intervened: Italian F-35 fighters, deployed in Estonia as part of the Baltic air policing mission, were tasked with intercepting the Russian aircraft. Estonia denounced this as at least the fourth Russian airspace violation this year, although they described Friday’s as the most serious so far.
Ursula von der Leyen expressed strong support for Estonia, stating that Europe stands with Estonia in the face of this airspace violation and that every provocation will receive a firm response, while strengthening the eastern flank. The Commission President also called for swift approval of the nineteenth package of sanctions against Russia and insisted that Europe must invest in a more robust defense in the face of growing aggression in the region.
