Estonia has summoned a Russian diplomat to express its protest after three Russian fighter jets entered its airspace without authorization on Friday. The incursion lasted for 12 minutes, according to the Estonian Foreign Ministry. This incident occurred just over a week after NATO aircraft intercepted Russian drones over Poland, raising concerns about the potential spillover of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that Russia has violated Estonian airspace four times this year. He described Friday's incident as "unprecedentedly brazen," involving three fighter jets. Russian officials have not yet commented on the situation.

The recent violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones was noted as the most serious cross-border incident involving a NATO member since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. Other NATO countries have also reported similar airspace violations and drone crashes, which have heightened tensions across Europe.

Kaja Kallas, the European Union's foreign policy chief, condemned the incursion, calling it "an extremely dangerous provocation" that escalates regional tensions. Estonia, along with its Baltic neighbors Lithuania and Latvia, is considered a potential target for Russian aggression.

The Russian MiG-31 fighters entered Estonian airspace near Vaindloo Island, located in the Gulf of Finland. The Estonian military reported that the aircraft did not have flight plans, their transponders were turned off, and they were not in communication with Estonian air traffic control.

In response to the incursion, Italian Air Force F-35 fighter jets, part of NATO's Baltic Air Policing Mission, were deployed. Tsahkna emphasized the need for increased political and economic pressure on Russia, stating, "Russia’s increasingly extensive testing of boundaries and growing aggressiveness must be met with a swift increase in political and economic pressure."

The Russian charge d'affaires was summoned to receive a formal protest note from the Estonian government. The incident has raised alarms among European nations, as diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine have stalled.

In a related development, Richard Moore, the head of Britain's Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), stated that there is "absolutely no evidence" that Russian President Vladimir Putin is interested in negotiating peace in Ukraine. Moore described Putin's approach as an attempt to impose his will, asserting that he has underestimated the resilience of the Ukrainian people.

Moore's comments came as he announced the launch of a new dark web portal, "Silent Courier," aimed at recruiting intelligence providers, including those in Russia. He invited individuals with information to come forward, emphasizing the need for transparency and truth in the current geopolitical climate.

As the war in Ukraine continues, analysts suggest that Putin may believe he can outlast the political resolve of Ukraine's Western allies. Meanwhile, Ukraine is actively seeking to bolster its defense capabilities and secure investments in its military industry.