COPENHAGEN, March 19 (Reuters) - Estonia has summoned the Russian charge d'affaires after a Russian fighter jet violated the Baltic country's airspace on March 18, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus
Estonia says Russian jet violates airspace, triggers response
Incident Overview and International Response
By Louise Rasmussen
Details of the Airspace Violation
COPENHAGEN, March 19 (Reuters) - A Russian fighter jet violated neighbouring Estonia's airspace on Wednesday, triggering a response from NATO's Baltic Air Policing, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said.
It was the first time this year that a Russian aircraft has violated Estonian airspace, the foreign ministry said.
Location and Duration of the Incident
The violation occurred near Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland, off Estonia's northern coast, where a Russian SU-30 fighter aircraft entered Estonian airspace and remained for around one minute, Tsahkna said on Thursday.
"There was no threat to Estonia's security," he added.
NATO and Estonian Government Response
NATO's Baltic Air Policing Mission
NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission responded swiftly, deploying Italian Air Force units, according to Tsahkna.
Previous Incidents
In September last year, Estonia said three Russian military jets violated the Baltic country's airspace for 12 minutes in an "unprecedentedly brazen" incursion, while Russia's Defence Ministry rejected the claim as false.
Diplomatic Actions
Estonia summoned the acting head of the Russian diplomatic mission in Tallinn in protest at Wednesday's incident, the foreign ministry said.
Russian Embassy's Response
The Russian embassy in Estonia did not immediately respond to a request for comment when contacted by Reuters via phone and email.
(Reporting by Louise Rasmussen, editing by Terje Solsvik and Aidan Lewis)
