Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson called on Europe to change its approach to security and prepare for potential military threats due to the strengthening of Russian military power. He emphasized the need for coordination among all NATO member states.
Poland will open its border with Belarus on the night of September 23-24 after the completion of the joint Russian-Belarusian military exercises 'Zapad-2025'. Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that the government may close the borders again in case of tension or aggressive behavior from Russia or Belarus.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that decisions on the use of force against aircraft or drones violating the Alliance's airspace will be made based on intelligence data regarding the level of threat. He noted that NATO will respond proportionally, but will not always immediately shoot down aircraft.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated the Alliance's readiness to "scare the Russians" to prevent provocations. He emphasized that NATO's air defense reacted quickly and decisively to the violation of airspace.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that there was no need to shoot down MiG aircraft that flew into Estonia, as they posed no immediate threat. Three Russian MiG-31 fighters violated Estonian airspace, remaining there for 12 minutes.
Russian propagandists claim that NATO is preparing to occupy Moldova by concentrating troops in Romania and Odesa. The NSDC Center for Countering Disinformation refutes these statements, calling them an information provocation by the Kremlin to destabilize the situation before the elections.
The NATO Council condemned Russia's dangerous violation of Estonian airspace on September 19, calling it part of irresponsible behavior. The Alliance expressed solidarity with member countries and reaffirmed support for Ukraine.
Large-scale state anti-terrorist exercises Dinaburg 2025, led by the State Security Service, are being held for the first time in Latgale. More than 500 participants are taking part, including representatives of NATO and the Royal Canadian Air Force.
The threat of nuclear war between Russia and the West has reached an all-time high, even though neither side seeks the actual use of nuclear weapons. The escalation of the conflict around Ukraine and Moscow's large-scale military exercises sharply increase the risk of catastrophe.
Hungary will not give up Russian oil, citing a lack of infrastructure for alternative supplies. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó called Western European officials "fanatics" who criticize Budapest's position.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with US President's special representative General Keith Kellogg, discussing the situation at the front and the results of the counteroffensive near Dobropillia and Pokrovsk. They also touched upon the development of cooperation between Ukraine and the US, including agreements on drones and the procurement of American weapons.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva in New York to discuss economic support and the use of frozen Russian assets. The parties also discussed a new IMF program to enhance the resilience of the Ukrainian economy and Russia's violation of NATO airspace.
Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson stated that the country will use force against Russian fighter jets that violate its airspace. This includes the right to use weapons with or without warning in accordance with the IKFN resolution.
On September 22, the railway line between Cologne and Düsseldorf was damaged due to the deliberate cutting of underground cables. The police are investigating the incident as sabotage, not ruling out political motives.
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that Russia's reckless actions in the airspace of Poland, Romania, and Estonia threaten a direct conflict with NATO. She emphasized that the Alliance is ready to defend the skies and territory of its allies.
At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski warned Russia of serious consequences if a missile or other object enters NATO airspace. This followed the incursion of Russian fighter jets into Estonian airspace and drone flights over Poland.
The Russian Federation denies the fact of its military aircraft entering Estonian airspace, claiming a "lack of evidence. "
US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz addressed the Security Council for the first time, assuring that the United States and its allies would defend every inch of NATO territory. This happened at an emergency meeting due to Russia's violation of Estonian airspace by three MiG-31 fighter jets.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a conversation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte regarding the implementation of the PURL program, particularly concerning air defense. The discussion took place on the eve of the General Assembly in New York, where Zelenskyy emphasized the need for real protection against Russian strikes.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that the country would not hesitate to shoot down objects that violate its airspace and pose a threat. He also noted that Poland would exercise caution in less obvious situations to avoid escalating the conflict.
In Germany, requests for the construction of private bunkers have sharply increased due to fears of war with Russia. Companies and landlords are also actively ordering shelters for their employees.
Russia has developed a multi-pronged strategy to interfere in Moldova's September 28 elections, aimed at undermining the chances of President Maia Sandu's party and removing her from power. The plan includes voter recruitment, organizing protests, disinformation, and pressuring officials.
The EU has started discussing the creation of a "drone wall" that would protect against further Russian attacks.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen believes that the probability of a Third World War is absent, but humanity lives in a very dangerous era. She emphasized the need to strengthen the EU's defense capabilities and its autonomy in security matters.
Two German Eurofighter jets were scrambled due to a Russian Il-20 military reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea. The aircraft did not respond to attempts to establish contact.
Poland's Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz called on NATO to react decisively to Russian provocations, particularly in the Baltic Sea. This followed an incident where three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated Estonian airspace.
Ukraine has appealed to the Republic of Korea with a request to participate in an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. The meeting was convened due to Russia's violation of Estonian airspace by three MiG-31 fighter jets.
The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting at 10:00 a. m. New York time due to Russia's violation of Estonian airspace. This is the first time Estonia has convened the Security Council in 34 years, prompted by Russia's aggressive behavior.
Andriy Demchenko, spokesman for the State Border Guard Service, reported that no movement of Russian equipment or personnel is being recorded on the border with Belarus. Belarus continues to keep a small number of its units near the Ukrainian border.
The US President stated that he was not informed about the violation of Estonian airspace by Russian planes, although he had previously commented on this incident. Three Russian MiG-31 fighters violated Estonian airspace on September 20, after which NATO scrambled fighters to intercept them.
