Estonia triggers NATO Article 4 after ‘brazen’ Russian MiG-31 airspace breach

Estonia’s Foreign Ministry said on September 19, 2025, that three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered the country’s airspace without permission over the Gulf of Finland. The aircraft remained for a total of 12 minutes before returning to Russian territory.

The ministry said Russia’s chargé d’affaires in Tallinn had been summoned in protest.

‘Unprecedentedly brazen’

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna condemned the incident, calling it the most serious violation of the year.

“Russia has already violated Estonia’s airspace four times this year, which in itself is unacceptable. But today’s incursion, involving three fighter aircraft entering our airspace, is unprecedentedly brazen,” Tsahkna said.

The minister added that “Russia’s increasingly extensive testing of boundaries and growing aggressiveness must be met with a swift increase in political and economic pressure.”

European Commission President and Estonian-born Kaja Kallas described the incident as an “extremely dangerous provocation,” stressing that it was the third violation of EU airspace in recent days.

“The EU stands in full solidarity with Estonia,” Kallas wrote on social media, adding that she was in close contact with Tallinn. “Putin is testing the West’s resolve. We must not show weakness.”

The MiG-31 is a long-range supersonic interceptor developed during the Soviet era, capable of flying at speeds above Mach 2.8 and carrying advanced air-to-air missiles. It remains one of Russia’s fastest combat aircraft and is often used for air defense patrols and strategic signaling near NATO borders. One of its variants, the MiG-31K, has been adapted to carry the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missile.

Heightened Baltic tensions

NATO’s Baltic members have faced repeated Russian airspace violations in 2025.

This incursion comes just days after multiple Gerbera drones violated Polish airspace, with over 19 Russian drones entering eastern and central Poland on the night of September 9, 2025. The incident prompted Poland to invoke Article 4 of the NATO treaty, suspending major airports and downing at least four drones with help from Dutch F-35s and Polish F-16s. A block of a residential area was damaged, likely by friendly fire amid counter-drone actions.

Only weeks earlier, Lithuania registered two Gerbera drones crossing over from Belarus, one of which carried an explosive warhead. Remains of a similar drone were found on the Baltic coast of Latvia on September 18, 2025.

Estonia has also faced a series of airspace violations in recent months. On September 7, 2025, a Russian Mi-8 helicopter crossed into Estonian airspace near Vaindloo Island. Earlier, on May 13, 2025, a Russian Su-35 briefly entered Estonian airspace during an operation to intercept a suspected sanctions-busting tanker, an incident Tallinn condemned as a “dangerous act of aggression.” On June 22, 2025, a Russian Il-76 transport aircraft from the Ministry of Emergency Situations also crossed into Estonian airspace near Vaindloo without authorization.

September 19, 2025, 22:04 (UTC +3)
Estonia triggers NATO Article 4 after MiG-31 incursion

The incident prompted swift military and political responses across the region.

NATO said Italian F-35s deployed under the Baltic Air Policing mission were scrambled to intercept the intruders. The alliance described the violation as “yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour” and stressed its ability to respond immediately to such provocations.

Sweden’s Armed Forces confirmed that JAS 39 Gripen fighters intercepted and monitored the Russian MiG-31s over the Baltic Sea, underscoring Stockholm’s readiness to act jointly with allies to safeguard regional airspace.

Pictures released by the Swedish Air Force show a Russian MiG-31 interceptor armed with three long-range R-33 air-to-air missiles during the airspace violation over the Baltic Sea.

The MiG-31 typically carries up to four R-33 missiles under the fuselage, designed to engage high-speed, high-altitude targets at ranges of more than 100 kilometers.

Following a violation of Estonian air space, Swedish JAS 39 fighters intercepted and monitored three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets over the Baltic Sea today. Sweden is always ready to ensure the safety, security and integrity of our airspace together with our allies.#WeAreNATO pic.twitter.com/gpTbmngiKc— Försvarsmakten (@Forsvarsmakten) September 19, 2025

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal called the incursion “totally unacceptable” and announced that Tallinn would request NATO Article 4 consultations.

“This morning, three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace. NATO fighters responded and the Russian planes were forced to flee. Such violation is totally unacceptable. The Government of Estonia has decided to request NATO Article 4 consultations,” Michal said.
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