NextFin news, Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene publicly urged NATO on Sunday, September 21, 2025, to shoot down Russian warplanes that violate the airspace of NATO member countries. This call comes amid heightened tensions in the Baltic region following accusations of Russian military aircraft entering Estonian airspace.
Estonia, a NATO member and Lithuania's neighbor, reported that three Russian military jets breached its airspace for approximately 12 minutes earlier this week. Estonia described the incident as an "unprecedented brazen" violation. However, the Russian Defense Ministry denied these claims, stating that its aircraft flew over international waters in the Baltic Sea, more than three kilometers from Estonia's Vaindloo Island, and did not violate Estonian airspace during a routine flight.
In response to the alleged incursion, Estonia invoked Article 4 of the NATO treaty, requesting urgent consultations with alliance members to address the security threat. This incident follows a recent claim by Poland, another NATO member, accusing Russia of sending at least 19 drones into its airspace, which Russia also denied. NATO has since increased air patrols over Poland to bolster regional defenses.
Minister Sakaliene emphasized the seriousness of the situation on her social media platform X, stating, "We need to mean business," and accused Russia of deliberately testing NATO's borders. She referenced a precedent set by Turkey a decade ago when the Turkish Air Force shot down a Russian bomber over Syria, highlighting the need for decisive action to protect NATO airspace.
The 2015 incident involved a Russian Su-24 bomber engaged in an anti-terrorist mission in Syria. After being shot down by Turkish forces, one of the pilots was killed on the ground. The event severely strained Turkish-Russian relations, leading to sanctions and diplomatic tensions that were only resolved years later.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova dismissed Minister Sakaliene's remarks, suggesting that the minister was expressing personal fears rather than professional judgment, and questioned her competence in her official role.
The escalating rhetoric and military posturing in the Baltic region underscore growing security concerns among NATO members regarding Russian military activities near alliance borders. NATO has responded by reinforcing air defenses, including deploying British fighter jets to defend Polish skies, as part of broader efforts to maintain the bloc's unity and deterrence capabilities.
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