On Friday, September 19, 2025, the Reuters news agency, citing sources in NATO and the European Union, reported that three Russian MiG-31 heavy interceptor/strike aircraft (NATO reporting name: Foxhound) violated Estonian airspace today. The aircraft were said to have remained in the airspace of the EU and NATO member for a total of 12 minutes.
MiG-31K / Photo: Russian Ministry of Defence
The aircraft reportedly entered deeper into the country in the area of Vaindloo Island and approached to within about 9 km (5 nautical miles) of Tallinn. Their transponders were switched off and they did not respond to attempts at radio communication. In response, Italian F-35A Lightning II jets were scrambled from Ämari Air Base. The Russian aircraft then withdrew.
Later, the information was officially confirmed by Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna:
“Today Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Of Estonia summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires over another violation of Estonia’s airspace, when three Russian MiG-31s entered our airspace over the Gulf of Finland for 12 minutes. This is an unprecedented and brazen intrusion – clear proof of Russia’s growing aggression. Such actions cannot be tolerated and must be met with swift political and economic pressure.”
Today @MFAestonia summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires over another violation of Estonia’s airspace, when three Russian MiG-31s entered our airspace over the Gulf of Finland for 12 minutes.
This is an unprecedented and brazen intrusion — clear proof of Russia’s growing…
— Margus Tsahkna (@Tsahkna) September 19, 2025
This was the fourth such incident this year.
It is worth noting that on April 11 of this year, the Estonian minesweeper EML Admiral Cowan (Sandown-class) intercepted the tanker Kiwala, sailing under a false Djibouti flag en route to the Russian port of Ust-Luga. The vessel was subject to EU and UK sanctions. Kiwala was released on April 28.
On May 13, the Estonian patrol vessel EML Raju escorted the tanker Jaguar, officially sailing under the Gabonese flag, which had violated Estonian territorial waters. During the escort, Estonian airspace was breached by a Russian Su-35S multirole fighter, prompting intervention by a Portuguese F-16AM under the Baltic Air Policing mission.
As of 2024, Russia operated 141 MiG-31 aircraft (109 MiG-31BM, around 23 MiG-31K, and 9 MiG-31B/BS), including 88 MiG-31BM and about 23 MiG-31K in the Aerospace Forces (VKS) and 30 in Naval Aviation (WMF), comprising 9 MiG-31B/BS and 21 MiG-31BM.
The MiG-31BM/BS is a modernized interceptor variant, while the MiG-31K izdeliye 06 is a strike variant designed to carry Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aero-ballistic/hypersonic missiles (unofficial NATO reporting name: Killjoy). Russia lost several of these aircraft during the war in Ukraine, both in combat operations and accidents. In total, 519 aircraft were produced between 1975 and 1994 (31 MiG-31BS were transferred to Kazakhstan after 1991, but were withdrawn from service in 2023).
UPDATE
Another incident occurred in the Baltic Sea. The Border Guard issued a statement:
“Two Russian fighter jets carried out a low-altitude flyover of a Petrobaltic platform in the Baltic Sea. The platform’s safety zone was violated. The Polish Armed Forces and other relevant services were notified.”
Dwa rosyjskie myśliwce wykonały niski przelot nad platformą Petrobalticu na Morzu Bałtyckim. Naruszona została strefa bezpieczeństwa platformy. Powiadomione zostały Siły Zbrojne RP i inne służby.#MorskiOddziałSG
— Straż Graniczna (@Straz_Graniczna) September 19, 2025
Estonian Ministry of Defence press release:
“On Friday, the morning of September 19, three Russian fighter jets MIG-31 entered Estonian airspace in the Vaindloo Island area without permission, and remained there for approximately 12 minutes. The fighter jets did not have flight plans, and their transponders were switched off. At the time of the airspace violation, the fighter jets did not have two-way radio communication with Estonian air traffic control. The incident was responded to by Italian Air Force fighter jets F-35, participating in the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission, that are currently stationed in Ämari Airbase. The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the chargé d’affaires of the Russian Federation in Estonia to deliver a diplomatic note concerning the violation of Estonia’s airspace. This was the fourth violation of Estonian airspace by a Russian Federation aircraft this year.”
On 19 Sept, three Russian MIG-31s violated Estonian airspace near Vaindloo, staying for nearly 12 minutes with transponders off and no radio contact. NATO Baltic Air Policing F-35s from Ämari Air Base responded. This was Russia’s 4th airspace violation this year.
— Estonian Defence Forces | Eesti Kaitsevägi (@Kaitsevagi) September 19, 2025
Kaja Kallas (High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, former Prime Minister of Estonia):
“Today’s violation of Estonia’s airspace by Russian military aircraft is an extremely dangerous provocation. This marks the third such violation of EU airspace in days and further escalates tensions in the region. The EU stands in full solidarity with Estonia. I am in close contact with the Estonian government. We will continue to support our member states in strengthening their defences with European resources. Putin is testing the West’s resolve. We must not show weakness.”
I am in close contact with the Estonian government.
We will continue to support our member states in strengthening their defences with European resources.
Putin is testing the West's resolve.
We must not show weakness. (2/2)— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) September 19, 2025
Margus Tsahkna:
“This morning 3 Russian MiG-31s violated airspace over the Gulf of Finland. NATO Italian fighters responded swiftly & escorted them them out. This is a grave & unacceptable provocation. Estonia has requested NATO Article 4 consultations. Our response must be united & firm. Grateful to our allies & friends for their immediate support. Stronger Together.”
This morning 3 Russian MiG-31s violated 🇪🇪 airspace over the Gulf of Finland. NATO 🇮🇹 fighters responded swiftly & escorted them them out.
This is a grave & unacceptable provocation. 🇪🇪 has requested NATO Article 4 consultations. Our response must be united & firm.
Grateful to…
— Margus Tsahkna (@Tsahkna) September 19, 2025
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski:
“Last week Poland, today Estonia. Once again, Russia provokes and shows that it is not interested in peace. Poland declares its solidarity with Estonia and firmly condemns the violation of its airspace by Russia.”
W zeszłym tygodniu Polska, dziś Estonia. Rosja kolejny raz prowokuje i pokazuje, że nie jest zainteresowana pokojem. Polska deklaruje solidarność z Estonią i stanowczo potępia naruszenie jej przestrzeni powietrznej przez Rosję.
— Radosław Sikorski 🇵🇱🇪🇺 (@sikorskiradek) September 19, 2025
Toiu Oana (Romanian Minister Of Foreign Affairs):
“Romania condemns the violation of Estonian airspace by three Russian fighter jets. This action is irresponsible. It is what happens when an aggressor feels the cost of its war and attempts to escalate in order to avoid this cost by any means possible. All the more reason to adopt and apply the 19th package of sanctions. As an EU Member State and NATO Ally and as country confronted with such Russian provocations, Romania expresses full solidarity with Estonia”
Romania condemns the violation of Estonian airspace by three Russian fighter jets. This action is irresponsible. It is what happens when an aggressor feels the cost of its war and attempts to escalate in order to avoid this cost by any means possible. All the more reason to adopt…
— Toiu Oana (@oana_toiu) September 19, 2025
Maxime Prevot (Belgian Minister Of Foreign Affairs):
“Estonia after Poland and Romania, today’s violation of Estonian airspace by three Russian fighter jets is yet another dangerous provocation by Russia. We stand firmly with Estonia and all our Eastern Allies. Putin is testing NATO’s resolve — and he will find us united and steadfast.”
🇪🇪 After Poland and Romania, today’s violation of Estonian airspace by three Russian fighter jets is yet another dangerous provocation by Russia.
We stand firmly with Estonia and all our Eastern Allies.
Putin is testing NATO’s resolve — and he will find us united and…
— Maxime PREVOT (@prevotmaxime) September 19, 2025
Kęstutis Budrys (Lithuanian Minister Of Foreign Affairs):
“Russia directly threatens Euroatlantic security and tests NATO’s limits. Today, 3 Russian fighter jets violated Estonian airspace. These provocations will only escalate until the Alliance fully transforms Baltic air policing into Baltic air defence, rotational air defense models become a reality and Estern Sentry comes up and running 24/7. These are not accidents. The Alliance is being tested militarily. We must sharpen NATO’s posture to the point where no one dares to test our deterrence. #Lithuania stands in full solidarity with our ally #Estonia.”
Russia directly threatens Euroatlantic security and tests NATO’s limits.
Today, 3 Russian fighter jets violated Estonian airspace. These provocations will only escalate until the Alliance fully transforms Baltic air policing into Baltic air defence, rotational air defense…
— Kęstutis Budrys (@BudrysKestutis) September 19, 2025
Johann Wadephul (German Minister Of Foreign Affairs):
“Vigilance is the price of freedom. This principle of @NATO has lost none of its relevance. Today’s unacceptable violation of Estonian airspace by Russia demonstrates this with absolute clarity. I assured my colleague @Tsahkna of Germany’s full solidarity. With the immediate interception of the Russian aircraft, we show: @NATO is always ready to defend.”
Ich habe meinem Kollegen @Tsahkna die volle Solidarität Deutschlands zugesichert. Mit dem sofortigen Abfangen der russischen Flugzeuge zeigen wir: Die @NATO ist stets verteidigungsbereit. 2/2
— Johann Wadephul (@AussenMinDE) September 19, 2025
Baiba Braže (Latvian Minister Of Foreign Affairs):
“Violation of Estonia’s airspace by 3 Russian planes is a clear provocation. NATO’s planes intercepted Russian aircraft, however, the NATO’s presence and the Eastern Sentry mission needs to be strengthened to prevent this reckless behaviour.“
Violation of Estonia’s airspace by 3 Russian planes is a clear provocation. NATO’s planes intercepted Russian aircraft, however, the NATO’s presence and the Eastern Sentry mission needs to be strengthened to prevent this reckless behaviour. https://t.co/eOUsQZi3hy
— Baiba Braže (@Braze_Baiba) September 19, 2025
David van Weel (Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands):
“Once again, Russia is violating NATO airspace. The Netherlands condemns Russia’s reckless behaviour. We stand in full solidarity with our ally Estonia. NATO remains united against Russia’s provocations.“
Once again, Russia is violating NATO airspace. The Netherlands condemns Russia’s reckless behaviour. We stand in full solidarity with our ally Estonia @Tsahkna. #NATO remains united against Russia’s provocations.
— David van Weel (@ministerBZ) September 19, 2025
Yvette Cooper (Minister Of Foreign Affairs Of United Kingdom):
“The UK stands with our Estonian allies, following yet another reckless incursion into NATO airspace by Russia. We must continue to increase pressure on Putin, including driving forward the important new economic sanctions announced by the UK & EU in recent days.”
The UK stands with our Estonian allies, following yet another reckless incursion into NATO airspace by Russia.
We must continue to increase pressure on Putin, including driving forward the important new economic sanctions announced by the UK & EU in recent days.
— Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) September 19, 2025
José Manuel Albares (MSZ Hiszpanii):
“The intrusion of three Russian warplanes into Estonian airspace is an unacceptable violation of its sovereignty. Spain stands in solidarity with Estonia, our partner and ally, and reiterates its commitment to Estonia’s security. Our response: unity and resolve.”
La intrusión de tres aviones de guerra rusos en el espacio aéreo de Estonia es una violación inaceptable de su soberanía.
España se solidariza con Estonia @Tsahkna, socio y aliado, y reitera el compromiso con su seguridad.
Nuestra respuesta: unidad y firmeza.
— José Manuel Albares (@jmalbares) September 19, 2025
Sweden intercepted Russian planes and published their photographs:
Following a violation of Estonian air space, Swedish JAS 39 fighters intercepted and monitored three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets over the Baltic Sea today. Sweden is always ready to ensure the safety, security and integrity of our airspace together with our allies.#WeAreNATO pic.twitter.com/gpTbmngiKc
— Försvarsmakten (@Forsvarsmakten) September 19, 2025