NATO Scrambles Reconnaissance Plane After Russian Fighter Jet Violation

NATO scrambled a reconnaissance plane after a Russian fighter jet violated Estonia’s airspace on Wednesday.

Estonia’s foreign minister Margus Tsahkna said on Thursday that a Russian SU-30 fighter jet entered Estonian airspace for around a minute, according to the local news outlet Delfi.ee.

The violation happened near Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland, off Estonia’s northern coast, Tsahkna said.

He added that the Italian Air Force, based at the Ämari Air Base, deployed a military plane to monitor the jet. “There was no direct threat to Estonian security,” Tsahkna said.

The fighter jet did not have a flight plan or communication with Estonian air traffic control, Delfi.ee reported.

This is the first time this year that a Russian aircraft has violated Estonian airspace, Estonia’s foreign ministry said.

This is a breaking story. More to follow.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published March 19, 2026 at 7:39 AM.