Foreign Ministry condemns Russian violation of Estonian airspace

A still photograph published by Swedish equipped forces that it says shows a Russian MiG-31 combatant pitchy that took portion successful the violation of Estonian airspace. Sweden’s subject says the representation was taken implicit the Baltic Sea aft the Russian craft near Estonian airspace, Friday. [Swedish Armed Forces/Handout via Reuters]

The Foreign Ministry has condemned a violation of Estonian airspace by Russian combatant jets.

“Greece unequivocally condemns [Friday’s] violation of Estonian airspace,” the ministry said connected X, without naming Russia. 

“Any violation of state borders, beryllium it air, oversea oregon onshore borders, constitutes a wide breach of planetary instrumentality and is unacceptable. We stand successful afloat solidarity with our Estonian partners.”

The authorities of NATO subordinate Estonia said three Russian subject jets violated its airspace for 12 minutes successful an “unprecedentedly brazen” incursion. The incidental occurred conscionable implicit a week aft much than 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace, some downed by NATO jets.

However, Russia’s Defense Ministry denied its jets violated Estonian airspace, saying they flew implicit neutral waters.

Europeans rapidly responded to the Russian pitchy incident. “This was nary accident,” EU overseas argumentation main Kaja Kallas – a erstwhile Estonian premier curate – said successful comments relayed by a spokesperson.

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said his state had decided to inquire NATO to unfastened consultations under Article 4 of the alliance’s treaty, and that the Russian jets flew astir 5 nautical miles into NATO airspace earlier Italian F-35s, presently stationed astatine a basal successful Estonia, pushed them out.

NATO polices the airspace of Estonia and different Baltic nations successful its Baltic Sentry mission.

Tsahkna suggested that Estonia would beryllium asking allies for much aerial defenses. “It was a very wide provocation. It was decidedly meant similar this. And that’s why we are calling the Article 4 governmental consultations,” helium told Reuters. [Kathimerini, Reuters]