ISTANBUL 

Estonia on Friday accused Russia of violating its airspace after three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered the Baltic country’s skies without permission.

The Estonian Foreign Ministry said the incident occurred in the area of Vaindloo Island on Friday morning, with the jets remaining in Estonian airspace for nearly 12 minutes, national news agency ERR reported.

According to officials, the aircraft had no flight plans, their transponders were switched off, and they did not establish two-way radio communication with Estonian air traffic services during the violation.

In response, the ministry summoned the charge d'affaires of the Russian Federation in Estonia to lodge a formal protest and deliver a note regarding the violation.

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna strongly condemned the incident, calling it an “unprecedentedly brutal” breach of sovereignty.

“Russia has violated Estonian airspace four times already this year, which in itself is unacceptable, but today’s violation, during which three fighter jets entered our airspace, is unprecedentedly brutal,” he said.

Tsahkna added: “Russia’s increasing border testing and aggressiveness must be met with a rapid increase in political and economic pressure.”

Russia has yet to respond to the claims.