NATO Scrambles Fighter Jets
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There have been no reported violations of Polish airspace by long-range Russian drones since dozens crossed into the country during strikes on Ukraine on Sept. 10, prompting Polish and allied jets to shoot down several.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told CNN on Sept. 24 that shooting down intruding jets should be considered if Moscow ignores other warnings.
NATO intercepted three Russian jets that violated Estonia’s airspace on Friday, the country’s foreign ministry and an alliance spokesperson said.
NATO has scrambled its first jet to defend its airspace under Eastern Sentry, the mission to secure airspace on its eastern flank that was launched in response to Russia's violations of Polish airspace.
Two NATO officials, who asked for anonymity to discuss sensitive operational matters, told NBC News U.S. fighter jets were taking off for assignments somewhere in Eastern Europe.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday said NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft if they enter their airspace. The comments came as Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Estonia said three Russian jets entered its airspace without permission on September 19 and stayed in it for 12 minutes.
The planes' detection in international airspace off Alaska comes amid tensions over Russian incursions in NATO airspace.
Estonia’s foreign minister described the flights, which lasted for an unusually long 12 minutes, as an “unprecedentedly brazen” intrusion.
British fighter jets flew over Poland on Friday night as part of AN operation to bolster NATO’s eastern flank after Russian drones violated Polish airspace earlier this month, according to the UK Ministry of Defense.
NATO and the EU have "declared war" on Russia through Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed at a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting on Sept. 25. Lavrov’s remarks come amid rising tensions between Russia and NATO following recent violations of the alliance's airspace by Russian drones and fighter jets.