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NATO holds Russia responsible for recent airspace violations

23.09.2025 14:14
“Russia bears full responsibility for these actions, which are escalatory, risk miscalculation, and endanger lives. They must stop,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in Brussels.
Russia bears full responsibility for these actions, which are escalatory, risk miscalculation, and endanger lives. They must stop, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in an official statement by the North Atlantic Council on Tuesday, 23 September, in Brussels, addressing recent Russian airspace violations.
“Russia bears full responsibility for these actions, which are escalatory, risk miscalculation, and endanger lives. They must stop,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in an official statement by the North Atlantic Council on Tuesday, 23 September, in Brussels, addressing recent Russian airspace violations. Photo: Virginia Mayo/Associated Press/East News

The North Atlantic Council met on Tuesday at Estonia’s request under Article 4 of the Washington Treaty to condemn a violation of Estonian airspace on 19 September, when three armed Russian MiG-31 aircraft entered for more than ten minutes before being intercepted by allied jets.

NATO described the incident as part of a broader pattern of reckless Russian behaviour.

Just two weeks earlier, the Council also convened over large-scale drone incursions into Polish airspace, while other allies – including Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Romania – have reported similar breaches.

The alliance said its response will remain robust, pointing to the launch of the Eastern Sentry exercise on 12 September to strengthen air defences along the eastern flank.

NATO reaffirmed its solidarity with affected allies, its commitment to Article 5, and its continued support for Ukraine against Russia’s ongoing war of aggression.

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Source: NATO