Estonia says Russian jet violates airspace, triggers response

By Louise Rasmussen

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.

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's Baltic Air Policing ‌mission responded swiftly, deploying Italian Air Force units, according to Tsahkna.

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.

Estonia summoned the acting head of the Russian diplomatic mission in Tallinn in protest ‌at Wednesday's incident, the foreign ministry said.

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)

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