EP adopts resolution enabling downing of Russian jets breaching EU airspace

The European Parliament (EP) has adopted a resolution calling on EU member states to shoot down Russian aircraft in the event of a violation of their airspace, according to the EP's official website.

"Encourages any initiative that enables the EU and its Member States to take coordinated, united and proportionate action against all violations of their airspace, including shooting down airborne threats," the resolution says.

The EP says it strongly condemns "Russia’s reckless and escalatory actions of violating the airspace of EU Member States and NATO allies Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania, as well as the deliberate drone incursions aimed at critical infrastructure in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway."

"Russia bears full and unequivocal responsibility for the actions that took place in Polish, Estonian and Romanian airspace," the resolution adds.

In September, Poland and Estonia accused Russia of “violating their airspace.” Moscow has repeatedly emphasised that these accusations are groundless and that no evidence has been presented. Following these claims, the North Atlantic Alliance began discussing the possibility of shooting down Russian aircraft should they enter European airspace. The Kremlin has warned that Russia would undoubtedly respond to such an action.

Earlier, Estonian Foreign Minister Jonatan Vseviov stated that Tallinn could use anti-ship missiles with a range of 300 kilometres in the event of an airspace violation by Russia. Vseviov also threatened Russia with a new NATO communiqué, according to which member states of the alliance would independently choose the measures to respond to any airspace violations.

 By Khagan Isayev