Kremlin: NATO's statements about possibly shooting down Russian aircraft are reckless

Russian State News Agency, Moscow, September 26 - Russian President's press secretary Peskov stated that NATO's statements about potentially shooting down Russian aircraft are reckless and irresponsible.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte previously stated that NATO could shoot down Russian aircraft that are suspected of posing a threat to civilian infrastructure or the public. Estonia had previously claimed its airspace was violated, but lacked evidence.

Peskov told Russian First Channel journalist Zarubin: "Comments about shooting down Russian aircraft are at least reckless and irresponsible. This is another significant escalation of tensions in our border areas."

Poland's Prime Minister Tusk said on September 10 that drones shot down over Poland "posed a danger." He believed they were "Russian" drones, but provided no evidence. Subsequently, European Commission President von der Leyen stated that more than ten drones were shot down over Poland. Andrei Ordash, Russia's acting ambassador to Poland, told RIA Novosti that Poland had not provided evidence that drones shot down in its airspace were likely Russian. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, on September 10, Russian forces did not plan to target locations in Poland during their intensive strikes on Ukrainian defense enterprises.

Estonia unfoundedly claimed that Russian aircraft violated Estonian airspace over the Baltic Sea. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that on September 19, three Russian (Mig) Mig-31 fighter jets completed a planned flight from Karelia to an airport in Kaliningrad. The flight strictly adhered to international law on airspace usage, did not enter other countries' borders, and can be confirmed by objective detection equipment. During the flight, Russian aircraft did not deviate from the agreed air route, nor did they violate Estonian airspace. The flight path passed over neutral waters of the Baltic Sea three kilometers away from Vaindlo Island. Russian President's press secretary Peskov commented on the so-called claims of Russian aircraft violating other countries' airspace, stating that such statements are baseless.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1844352845035657/

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