Three Russian fighter jets violated Estonian airspace on Friday in a move the Baltic nation called “unprecedentedly brazen,” and which appears to be the latest test of NATO’s defenses by the Kremlin’s forces.
The incursion occurred over the Gulf of Finland, where the MIG-31 fighter aircraft entered Estonian airspace without permission and remained there for a total of 12 minutes, according to a statement from the Estonian Ministry of Defense.
“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,” Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said in a statement.
“Russia’s increasingly extensive testing of boundaries and growing aggressiveness must be met with a swift increase in political and economic pressure,” he added.
Estonia’s government said it had protested to the top Russian diplomat in the country after the incursion by the MiG-31’s.
NATO, which Estonia is a member of, and Russia’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to NBC News’ requests for comment.
