An incident over the Baltic Sea is causing tensions between Estonia and Russia. According to the Estonian army, a Russian Sukhoi Su-35 military aircraft violated the airspace of the Baltic EU and NATO member state on the evening of May 13, 2025.
The Estonian military said the fighter jet entered Estonian airspace without authorization near the Juminda Peninsula in northern Estonia and briefly remained there. In response to this incident, the Estonian Foreign Ministry in Tallinn summoned the Charge d'Affaires of the Russian Embassy and presented a formal diplomatic note. Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna expressed concern, calling the incident "very serious and regrettable" and unacceptable in any way.
Details of the incident: Brief injury, no communication
According to the Estonian military, this was the first airspace violation by Russia this year. The intrusion lasted less than a minute. What's particularly controversial is that the Russian fighter jet had not submitted a flight plan prior to the overflight, its electronic identifier (transponder) was switched off, and it also failed to establish radio contact with Estonian air traffic control. This action heightens concerns about the intentions behind the flight.
Such incidents are not entirely new in the Baltic Sea region. Similar incidents have occurred repeatedly in the past, involving Russian military aircraft violating the airspace of NATO member states in the Baltic Sea region or approaching them unprofessionally in international airspace. These actions are usually strongly condemned by the affected NATO members and lead to diplomatic protests. Following the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014, NATO increased its military presence in the Baltic states and Poland to ensure the security of its member states in the region. This also includes increased air policing missions.
Diplomatic protest from Tallinn – concern in the NATO region
Estonia's response to the latest airspace violation was prompt and clear. The summoning of the Russian Charge d'Affaires and the presentation of a diplomatic note underscore Tallinn's determination not to tolerate such incidents. Foreign Minister Tsahkna emphasized the seriousness of the incident. This incident is expected to attract attention within NATO as well, as it once again highlights the tense security situation in the Baltic Sea region. The Baltic states, which share a long border with Russia and were historically under Soviet rule, are particularly sensitive to Russian military activities in their immediate neighborhood.
This airspace violation could further strain the already strained relations between Russia and NATO countries. While Russia has increased its military activities in the Baltic Sea region in recent years, NATO members emphasize their determination to protect their territory and airspace. The current incident underscores the importance of NATO's continued vigilance and military presence in the Baltic Sea region. It remains to be seen how Russia will respond to Estonia's diplomatic protest and whether this incident will impact future military activity in the region.