Russia Violates Estonian Airspace in Test of NATO Resolve

A Russian fighter jet violated Estonia’s airspace Tuesday as it provided cover for a sanctioned Russian oil tanker, in the latest demonstration of Russia aggression and eagerness to test nato resolve.

Shadow fleet: Estonian officials reported that the tanker, the Jaguar, was sailing unflagged and uninsured. They recognized it as part of Russia’s “shadow fleet”—hundreds of aging tankers that illegally ship Russian oil in violation of Western sanctions.

The United Kingdom sanctioned up to 100 Russian oil tankers last week, including the Jaguar, to constrict Russia’s ability to fund its war on Ukraine.

Stand-off and test: The Jaguar was sailing in waters between Estonia and Finland when Estonian authorities ordered it to stop and anchor. The crew refused.

Since Estonia is a nato ally, nato aircraft were scrambled, including Polish fighter jets. Russia then sent an Su-35S fighter jet to the scene where it entered into Estonian airspace.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said the Russian fighter “violated nato territory for close to one minute.” He added that it shows that the “Russian federation is ready to protect the ‘shadow fleet’ …. The situation is really serious.”

The incident became a standoff between Russia and nato powers. Eventually Estonian forces escorted the tanker to the Russian port of Primorsk.

Russia is testing nato’s reaction to incidents like border violations, and if this is not met with a strong response, Russia interprets it as weakness. Russia only understands the language of force. It is not a firm response that leads to escalation. … What leads to escalation is the absence of a response—when the aggressor is allowed to gradually cross red lines.
—Artur Rehi, Estonian military analyst

Fear of Russia: The Bible prophesies that fear of an increasingly aggressive Russia will provoke Europe to draw closer together and unite as a military superpower. As Russia grows more intimidating in the Baltic region, Europe’s moves toward unification and militarization will accelerate.

To understand, read “Russia’s War on Ukraine Is Reshaping Europe.”