Estonia Accuses Russia of Airspace Violation Over Gulf of Finland
Context:
The Estonian Defence Ministry on Friday accused Russia of violating its airspace over the Gulf of Finland, after three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets reportedly crossed into Estonian territory. The jets remained inside Estonia’s airspace for about 12 minutes before leaving.
Estonia, a NATO and EU member, has frequently raised alarms about Russian military activity near its borders since the start of the Ukraine conflict. The latest airspace violation is expected to draw strong responses from Tallinn as well as NATO allies, given the strategic significance of the Gulf of Finland as a narrow maritime corridor bordering Russia, Finland, and Estonia
Gulf of Finland:
Geography & Location
The easternmost arm of the Baltic Sea.
Lies between Finland (north) and Estonia (south), extending eastwards to Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Major inflow: Neva River (draining Lake Ladoga into Saint Petersburg).
Other inflows: Narva, Kymi, Vantaa, Porvoo, Luga, Sestra rivers.
Major Cities on the Gulf
Helsinki (Finland)
Tallinn (Estonia)
Saint Petersburg (Russia, 2nd largest city).
Strategic Importance
Gateway to Saint Petersburg, Russia’s vital Baltic port.
Hosts Russia’s major oil terminals/harbors (e.g., Primorsk).
A corridor of NATO–Russia strategic contestation (air and naval patrols).
Proposed Helsinki–Tallinn undersea tunnel could transform regional connectivity.
Geopolitical Relevance
Forms part of the Baltic security zone.
Increasingly militarized after Russia–Ukraine war and Finland’s NATO accession (2023).
Regular NATO air policing missions and surveillance in the region.
Recent incidents: Russian airspace violations over Estonia, drone incursions over Poland.
