Russian Jets Allegedly Enter NATO Airspace, UN Holds Emergency Meeting

United Nations (Uttam Hindu News): The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting after Estonia accused Russian fighter jets of violating its sovereign airspace, a move that could dangerously escalate tensions in Eastern Europe.

According to a letter addressed to the President of the Security Council, Estonia alleged that three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered its airspace on Friday, penetrating up to 10 kilometers and remaining for 12 minutes.

However, Russia’s Ministry of Defense denied the allegations, asserting that its aircraft flew from Karelia, near the Finnish border, to an airfield in Kaliningrad in strict compliance with international aviation rules, without deviating from the flight path or violating Estonian airspace.

Jenča urged all parties to act responsibly, use available communication channels, and take immediate steps to reduce tensions, warning that the world cannot afford to see such threats spiral out of control, particularly amid the ongoing devastating war in Ukraine.

During the meeting, Estonia, supported by other European nations and the United States, accused Russia of escalating tensions by violating NATO member Estonia’s sovereignty. Russia’s First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Dmitry Polyansky, denied the accusations, labeling them as part of “Russophobia” and claiming that European leaders were fostering hostility against Moscow.

U.S. Permanent Representative Mike Waltz, in his first address to the Council, declared that the United States and its allies would “defend every inch of NATO territory.” Meanwhile, non-European members of the Security Council, including China, called for calm, dialogue, and restraint to prevent the situation from escalating further.

The emergency session, requested by Estonia and supported by the UK, France, Denmark, Greece, and Slovenia, highlights the growing global concern over European security and the potential risks of further escalation.