French media: Russian aircraft frequently enter member states' airspace, NATO countries conduct joint patrols, Trump promises to help
At the request of Baltic states Estonia, the UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting on the 22nd regarding the incident of Russian aircraft violating Estonian airspace. Multiple NATO member states launched joint patrols, closely monitoring the movements of Russian warplanes, and held naval exercises in the Baltic Sea and other areas on the 22nd. US President Trump recently confirmed that if Russia's threats escalate, the United States would help protect Poland and the security of the Baltic states.
Estonia, a coastal country of the Baltic Sea, brought up the incident of three Russian aircraft entering its airspace and staying for 12 minutes on Friday, September 19th, to the UN Security Council. The emergency meeting was scheduled for 19:00 UTC on September 22nd. This is the first time since Estonia's independence from the Soviet Union and joining the United Nations 34 years ago that it has requested support from the Security Council.
On the day of the incident, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kallas stated that this was the third time in several days that Russian aerial vehicles had entered the airspace of NATO member states, indicating an escalation of regional tensions.
The Russian side firmly denied any behavior of aircraft deviating from their course and entering Estonian airspace, but NATO aircraft claimed that they successfully intercepted three Russian MiG-31 aircraft over Estonian airspace on that day. Both NATO and the European Union lodged protests, considering this as a new provocation by Russia.
With the ongoing Ukraine war and efforts to push for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine getting stuck, the behavior of Russian aerial vehicles entering the airspace of NATO's eastern front seems to be increasing.
Estonian Foreign Minister said that this is the fourth time since the beginning of 2025 that Russian aircraft have entered its airspace.
Previously, from the night of September 9th to 10th, 19 Russian drones were reported to have entered Polish airspace. Three of them were shot down by NATO fighter jets. A few days later, the Romanian Air Force, a NATO member, stated that on September 13th, Russian drones again attacked Ukraine, and one drone entered Romanian airspace, but Romania did not clearly state whether it was a Russian drone.
Frequent incursions of Russian aerial vehicles into member states' airspace are seen as challenges by NATO and the EU. From the night of September 9th to 10th, the interception of incoming drones by NATO fighter jets assisting Poland was the first such action taken by the NATO organization since its establishment in 1949. Since then, multiple NATO countries have started to conduct joint patrols over Poland, monitoring Russian activities.
Additionally, starting from the 22nd, NATO will also hold a four-day joint naval exercise in the Baltic Sea and other areas, with the United States sending an aircraft carrier to participate.
President Trump's attitude seems to have changed slightly. On the 21st, he said in response to a journalist's question that if Russia continues to expand its operations in Europe, the United States would help protect the security of Poland and the Baltic states. These four countries are all NATO members and also EU members.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1843961697080329/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.