Overview
- A Russian Navy Su-30SM crossed into Estonian airspace near Vaindloo Island for about one minute on March 18.
- Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons from Ämari, operating under NATO Baltic Air Policing, were scrambled to identify and escort the unarmed jet.
- Estonian authorities said the aircraft lacked a filed flight plan and did not establish two-way radio contact with air traffic control.
- Tallinn summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires on March 19 to deliver a diplomatic protest over the incursion.
- Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said there was no direct threat to Estonia’s security, noting this was the year’s first confirmed violation as NATO sustains heightened air surveillance in the region.