Estonia has formally protested to Russia after three of its fighter jets entered its airspace without authorisation, remaining for 12 minutes near Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland. The incident, which occurred on Friday, prompted Estonia’s Foreign Ministry to summon the Russian charge d’affaires and issue a protest note.

Foreign Minister Margus Tsakhna described the breach as “unprecedentedly brazen”, noting that Russia had violated Estonian airspace four times this year. “Russia’s increasingly extensive testing of boundaries and growing aggressiveness must be met with a swift increase in political and economic pressure,” he said.

The aircraft—identified as MIG-31s—were flying without flight plans, had their transponders switched off, and failed to communicate with Estonian air traffic control, according to the Estonian military. Italian F-35 jets deployed under NATO’s Baltic Air Policing Mission responded to the incursion.

NATO spokesperson Allison Hart called the incident “another example of reckless Russian behavior and NATO’s ability to respond.” While NATO jets frequently intercept Russian aircraft flying close to member airspace, actual breaches remain rare.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned the incursion as “an extremely dangerous provocation” that “further escalates tensions in the region.” The episode comes shortly after Russian drones were shot down over Poland, raising fears of the Ukraine war spilling into NATO territory.

Estonia, along with fellow Baltic states Latvia and Lithuania, is considered highly vulnerable to Russian aggression. Poland, though larger, shares similar concerns. All four nations are vocal supporters of Ukraine.

Separately, MI6 chief Richard Moore stated there is “absolutely no evidence” that Russian President Vladimir Putin is interested in peace negotiations. “He seeks to impose his imperial will by all means at his disposal. But he cannot succeed,” Moore said. “Bluntly, Putin has bitten off more than he can chew.”

Moore, speaking in Istanbul ahead of his departure as MI6 head, said the war had strengthened Ukrainian identity and accelerated its integration with the West. “Putin has sought to convince the world that Russian victory is inevitable. But he lies. He lies to the world. He lies to his people. Perhaps he even lies to himself,” he added.

He also unveiled MI6’s new dark web portal, “Silent Courier,” designed to securely recruit intelligence sources worldwide. “To those men and women in Russia who have truths to share and the courage to share them, I invite you to contact MI6,” Moore said.

AP