NATO talks ordered after Russian jets breach Estonian airspace

French Air Force pilot prepares for NATO Eastern Sentry mission following Russian airspace violations (Illustrative image) (Photo by THIBAUD MORITZ/AFP via Getty Images) Getty Images

Donald Trump warned that Russia's violation of Estonian airspace "could be big trouble" after three MiG-31 fighter jets entered NATO territory for 12 minutes on Friday. The unprecedented incursion involved manned military aircraft rather than drones, marking a significant escalation in Russia's testing of Western defences.

Trump told reporters: "I don't love it. I don't like when that happens. Could be big trouble." The violation occurred over the Gulf of Finland and represents the third Russian breach of NATO airspace in a fortnight, following drone incidents in Poland and Romania.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna described the breach as "unprecedentedly brazen," noting that Russia had already violated Estonian airspace four times this year. The Russian charge d'affaires was summoned and given a formal protest note following the incursion.

NATO Article 4 triggered

Estonia has requested NATO Article 4 consultations, with the North Atlantic Council scheduled to meet early next week. The article allows members to bring security concerns before NATO's main political decision-making body when territory or security is threatened.

Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė referenced Turkey's 2015 downing of a Russian aircraft, posting: "Türkiye set an example 10 years ago. Some food for thought." NATO has activated Operation Eastern Sentry in response to the escalating airspace violations.

The Institute for the Study of War assesses that Putin is deliberately testing NATO capabilities to learn lessons for future conflicts. Europe's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said: "Putin is testing the West's resolve. We must not show weakness."

Ukrainian strikes back

Ukrainian drones struck oil refineries deep inside Russia overnight, triggering explosions in the Saratov and Samara regions. In Saratov, residents captured footage of a drone hitting a refinery on the city's outskirts, causing a large blast visible from the city centre.

One person was injured after a residential building was damaged in what Governor Roman Busargin called a "Ukrainian drone attack." The Saratov refinery, which produces more than 20 petroleum products for the Russian military, has been targeted multiple times this month.

Ukrainian strikes have reportedly disrupted approximately 25% of Russian oil production as Moscow faces mounting fuel shortages. Russia denied any violation, claiming the flight was "scheduled" and conducted "in strict accordance" with international airspace rules.

Russia launches massive overnight assault

Russia carried out a large-scale missile and drone strike on Ukraine in the early hours of Saturday, killing one person and injuring 13. The attack involved 40 missiles and 580 drones targeting regions from Kyiv to Ukraine's far west.

Air raid sirens sounded across Ukraine from 5.45am until around 7am as explosions were reported in Pavlohrad, Mykolaiv, and Dnipro. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said forces had disrupted Russian plans to seize the logistics centre in Pokrovsk, causing significant Russian losses.

Pattern of escalation emerges

UK Defence Secretary John Healey said: "This is yet another edition of the Putin playbook. Putin's aggression only serves to strengthen the unity of NATO and our resolve to stand with Ukraine."

The incidents highlight growing concerns about Russian hybrid warfare tactics against Baltic states. Only the Guardian reports that the EU is proposing to accelerate its Russian gas ban to January 2027 as part of the 19th sanctions package, indicating escalating economic pressure alongside military provocations.

Sources used: "Independent", "Express", "Mirror", "Guardian", "Institute for the Study of War"

Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.