Russia flew three fighter jets into neighbouring Estonia today in a ‘reckless’ and ‘brazen’ attempt to intimidate the Baltic state.
The powerful MiG-31 warplanes spent 12 minutes violating Estonian airspace as they conducted combat operations to test the country’s defences.
The move sparked an emergency response from Nato, which sent in F-35 fighters to intercept the Russian aggression.
In further provocation by Vladimir Putin, two Russian jets also made a show of force over a Polish oil platform in the Baltic Sea, breaching its safety zone.
It comes as a former RAF commander last night called on Nato to draw a ‘red line’ in the sand – and hinted at shooting down future Russian jets.
Air Marshal Greg Bagwell wrote on social media platform X: ‘NATO needs to make some clear and public statements as to what it considers a red line.’
The veteran, who served in the force for 36 years and retired as its deputy commander, continued: ‘When it is crossed, the promised response is given, which should be lethal force after a clear warning.
‘NATO has to be united now, with a clear and unequivocal statement about what will not be tolerated.
The powerful Russian MiG-31 warplanes (pictured, file photo) spent 12 minutes violating Estonian airspace
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A Russian MIG-31 fighter is seen flying above the Baltic Sea after violating Estonian airspace on September 19
‘Right now we don’t know where our red lines are, why should we expect Russia to? And if that red line is crossed then the response must be decisive and ruthless.’
It came as MI6 chief Sir Richard Moore blasted the Russian president, calling him a ‘liar’ who wants to ‘impose his imperial will by all means at his disposal’.
The breach was condemned by European leaders. A Nato spokesman said: ‘This is yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour and Nato’s ability to respond.’
Estonian foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna, said Russia had already entered Estonian airspace four times this year.
He added: ‘That is unacceptable in itself, but today’s violation, during which three fighter jets entered our airspace, is unprecedentedly brazen. Russia’s ever-increasing testing of borders and aggressiveness must be responded to by rapidly strengthening political and economic pressure.’
The prime minister of Estonia, Kristen Michal, said his government had ‘decided to request Nato Article 4 consultations’.
Article 4 is a call to the 32-member Nato alliance, including the US, to come to consult on collective defence in response to specific threats.
The RAF’s Mr Bagwell called the Russian incursion into Estonia ‘a deliberate provocation to sow doubt and confusion amongst Nato nations’.
MI6 chief Sir Richard Moore (above) has labelled Vladimir Putin a ‘liar’ who wants to ‘impose his imperial will by all means at his disposal’
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‘Today these aircraft were only armed with air-to-air missiles but tomorrow it could be something more sinister,’ he warned.
‘Putin could have a few objectives here: one) to provoke a response in order to support his argument that Nato is the aggressor; two) to sow discord amongst Nato nations in formulating a response; three) to push the boundaries of the ‘grey zone’. Of course he could be trying all three!’
The air marshal, who oversaw operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria, continued: ‘The grey zone has become a convenient term to hide all manner of “ills”.
‘We need to turn that zone into a clear delineation of black and white – and act accordingly when that line is crossed. It’s time to stop Putin calling the shots.’
It comes a week after Kremlin drones flew more than 100 miles inside Poland on a reconnaissance mission. Both incidents have exposed holes in Nato defences.
Estonia became the third member state to be ‘invaded’ by Russia in just a month after an incursion into Romanian aerial territory last weekend.
The latest incident comes after US President Donald Trump said Vladimir Putin had ‘really let him down’ over Ukraine.
While the incursions into Poland and Romania were by drones, this time Russia sent manned frontline jets bristling with weapons.
Estonia has requested a NATO Article 4 consultation over Russia’s incursion into its airspace (Pictured: A Russian jet flying above the Baltic Sea on September 19)
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Italian F-35s were scrambled to intercept the MiG-31s which then returned to Kremlin airspace. They had encroached five miles inside Estonia.
Afterwards, Estonia summoned Russian officials in Tallinn for an explanation. The Russian charge d’affaires was summoned and given a protest note, a ministry statement said.
The Russian MiG-31 fighters entered Estonian airspace in the area of Vaindloo Island, located in the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea. The aircraft did not have flight plans and their transponders were turned off, according to Estonian officials.
Separately, Russian planes flew parallel to the Estonian border from east to west and did not head toward the country’s capital Tallinn.
In another intimidating move today, two Russian jets conducted a low pass over the Polish-owned Petrobaltic offshore production facility in the Baltic. Polish armed forces were alerted as the platform’s safety zone was violated.
Other alliance countries have reported similar incursions and drone crashes on their territory. The developments have increasingly rattled European governments as US-led efforts to stop the war in Ukraine have come to nothing.
Estonia, along with other Baltic states Lithuania and Latvia, are seen as being among the most likely targets if Russia one day decides to risk an attack on Nato.
Neighbouring Poland, though much larger, also feels vulnerable. All four countries are staunch supporters of Ukraine.
Russia’s latest move comes a week after Kremlin drones (remnants of which are seen above on September 10) flew more than 100 miles inside Poland on a reconnaissance mission
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, called Friday’s incursion ‘an extremely dangerous provocation’ that ‘further escalates tensions in the region’.
Ms Kallas, who is Estonian, said the EU will ‘continue to support our member states in strengthening their defences with European resources.’ She added that Putin was ‘testing the West’s resolve’ and said ‘we must not show weakness’.
Lithuanian defence minister Dovile Sakaliene said Nato’s border in the north east of Europe was being tested ‘for a reason’. She added: ‘We need to mean business.’
Former Lithuanian foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis also weighed in on the row.
He said: ‘Russia escalates, we do nothing, Russia escalates more, we do nothing, Russia escalates even more, we do nothing… I think I am starting to see a pattern here.’
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky described the menace as ‘outrageous’ and insisted it was ‘not an accident’.
He added: ‘It requires a systemic response. Strong action must be taken – both collectively and individually by each nation.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper posted on social media that the UK ‘stands with our Estonian allies’.
The Kremlin has not commented on the incident.
