Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on September 20, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleRussian jets allegedly violated Estonian airspace, but the Russian Defence Ministry claims adherence to international rules, flying over neutral Baltic waters.
(Reuters) - Russian fighter jets did not violate Estonian airspace and flew over neutral waters of the Baltic Sea in proceeding from northwest Russia to the Russian Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad, the Russian Defence Ministry said early on Saturday.
The government of NATO member Estonia said three Russian military jets violated its airspace for 12 minutes in an "unprecedentedly brazen" incursion. The incident occurred just over a week after more than 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace, some downed by NATO jets.
"The flight was carried out in strict conformity with international rules governing airspace with no violation of the borders of other states as is confirmed by independent checks," the Russian Defence Ministry said of the three MiG-31 fighters in a post on Telegram.
"During the flight, the Russian aircraft did not deviate from the agreed flight path and did not violate Estonian airspace."
The statement said the route taken by the fighters from the northwestern Russian region of Karelia "was over neutral waters of the Baltic Sea at a distance of more than 3 km from the island of Vaindloo," which lies off the Estonian coast.
(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Leslie Adler)
Airspace refers to the portion of the atmosphere controlled by a country above its territory, including its land and waters. It is regulated by national and international laws.
A fighter jet is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat against other aircraft. They are equipped with advanced technology for speed, agility, and weaponry.
International law consists of rules and principles that govern the relations and dealings of nations with each other. It encompasses treaties, customs, and legal precedents.
A military incursion is the act of entering another country's territory with armed forces, often without permission, typically for strategic or tactical purposes.
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