Estonia summons Russian diplomat over alleged airspace violation

Estonia has summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires ad interim, Kamran Abilov, and formally issued a note of protest following an alleged violation of its airspace, the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed, as cited by Russian media.

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that the diplomatic step was taken after a Russian military aircraft entered Estonian airspace. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has just summoned the chargé d’affaires of the Russian embassy and delivered a note in connection with the violation of airspace,” he said.

According to the ministry, the incident occurred on March 18 near Vaindloo Island, when a Russian Su-30 fighter jet crossed into Estonian airspace and remained there for approximately one minute. Tsahkna added that “the violation was addressed by an Italian Air Force unit, and there was no threat to Estonia’s security.”

Estonian authorities noted that this was the first such incident recorded this year. However, similar allegations were made in 2025. On September 19, Estonia reported that three MiG-31 aircraft flying over the Gulf of Finland had remained within its airspace for 12 minutes.

Following that incident, Tallinn invoked Article 4 of the NATO treaty, which provides for consultations among allies in the event of perceived security threats. Russia rejected those accusations at the time, describing them as unfounded.

By Tamilla Hasanova