NATO allies have accused Russia, at the United Nations, of violating the alliance's airspace in Estonia and Poland -- actions that Britain says risked triggering an armed conflict.

Confronting Russia at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "Your reckless actions risk direct armed confrontation between NATO and Russia. Our alliance is defensive, but be under no illusion, we stand ready to defend NATO's skies and NATO's territory."

"If we need to confront planes operating in NATO space without permission, then we will do so," she said.

Estonia said on Friday that three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets had entered Estonian airspace without permission and stayed for a total of 12 minutes before they were forced to withdraw in an episode

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