Russian Jet Stirs Tensions by Violating Estonian Airspace

A Russian SU-30 fighter jet violated Estonian airspace, marking the first such incident this year. Estonia's Foreign Minister reported the aircraft's brief incursion near Vaindloo Island, prompting a swift NATO response. Last year, Estonia experienced a similar breach, which Russia later denied.

A Russian fighter jet violated Estonia's airspace on Wednesday, according to Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna. The fighter jet, identified as an SU-30, entered the airspace near Vaindloo Island for about a minute.

This marked the first airspace violation by a Russian aircraft in Estonia this year, the foreign ministry stated. In response, NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission swiftly acted, deploying units from the Italian Air Force.

Meanwhile, a similar breach occurred last September when three Russian jets allegedly violated Estonia's airspace for 12 minutes. Estonia protested by summoning the acting head of the Russian diplomatic mission, though Russia rejected these claims as false.

(With inputs from agencies.)