Estonia
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stated that Russia is starting a new stage of escalation and hybrid warfare against the transatlantic community. He noted that the integration of the Ukrainian air defense system into a single European system should become a decisive step to strengthen security.
President Zelenskyy proposed to Poland and its partners to create a joint shield against Russian air threats, citing Ukraine's experience. He also noted that Russia could have used tankers in the Baltic Sea to launch drones.
In recent weeks, NATO countries have faced provocations from Russia: fighter jet flights and drones over strategic facilities. These are elements of hybrid warfare aimed at destabilizing and dividing partners.
The European Union has launched an official investigation into the supply of urea from Russia. Finland and Sweden are strengthening the defense of NATO's eastern flank, while Serbia and Kenya have detained suspects in pro-Russian activities.
On Saturday morning, a local resident discovered a drone fragment in the Luitemaa nature reserve in Pärnu County, Estonia. The Security Police are investigating the circumstances of how the foreign drone part ended up on the Estonian coast.
NATO Chiefs of Staff discussed recent airspace violations by Russian forces. The President of Latvia called for strengthening air defense and transforming Baltic air policing into an air defense mission.
An unknown drone was spotted over the Valajaskoski hydropower plant in Rovaniemi, Finland. This incident occurred after the country's power plants were declared no-fly zones.
Ukraine has expressed its readiness to participate in the "Drone Wall" project, initiated by the European Commission, and to play an active role in protecting Europe from the Russian drone threat. Kyiv expects to sign a joint declaration with partners in October and is ready to share its experience in the field of unmanned technologies.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in an interview with Axios that NATO should shoot down Russian drones and planes if they violate airspace. He called the reaction to previous incidents weak, which allowed Russia to continue violations.
Diplomats from Great Britain, France, and Germany warned the Kremlin that NATO is ready to respond to airspace violations, including by shooting down Russian planes. This happened after three MiG-31 fighters intruded over Estonia.
Romanian Minister of National Defense Ionuț Moșteanu announced the completion of the development of a methodology for applying legislation regarding the shooting down of drones and manned military aircraft that violate airspace. The procedure includes identification, jamming, and intervention, with shooting down being a last resort after other steps have been ignored.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte supported Donald Trump's statement that NATO member countries should shoot down Russian drones and planes if they enter their airspace, if such a step is necessary. NATO military personnel are trained to assess such threats and determine further actions.
Turkey has deployed an advanced AWACS radar aircraft to Lithuania to bolster defenses in the Baltic region following Russian airspace violations. The mission will last until Thursday, with the aircraft capable of detecting low-flying objects.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated the possibility of shooting down Russian fighter jets that violate NATO airspace. This position is supported by US President Donald Trump and Czech President Petr Pavel.
The Presidents of Ukraine and France met to discuss the escalation from Russia and incidents involving drones and fighter jets in the airspace of European countries. The leaders also focused on strengthening Ukraine's air defense, sanctions against the Russian Federation, and the use of frozen Russian assets.
A Russian fighter jet flew over a German Navy frigate in the Baltic Sea, which German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called a provocation. He compared the incident to recent Russian violations of Polish and Estonian airspace.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs stated at the UN General Assembly that Russia seeks a world where brute force prevails over international law. He emphasized that Ukraine is fighting for international order, and Russia has accomplices such as Iran and North Korea.
Russian "Shaheds" of the "Geran-2" and "Geran-3" types have a flight range of up to 2500 km and 1600 km, respectively, which allows them to reach European countries, including Great Britain and France. Expert Kostiantyn Kryvolap notes that European air defense systems are effective against high-altitude targets, but may have problems with low-flying drones.
Chief adviser to the President of Lithuania, Deividas Matulionis, stated that the country must be able to use force against aircraft of hostile countries if they violate its airspace. This is a matter of national competence, but NATO may be involved in the event of a serious threat.
After a trip to Great Britain and a meeting with Zelensky, Trump's rhetoric regarding Ukraine softened, and he allowed the return of all Ukrainian lands. Political scientist Oleh Lisnyi explained that this is a pleasant surprise, but the US is not rushing to take effective steps, as it does not have a clear plan.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the Kremlin is not seeking peace but is sending signals to NATO by violating the Alliance's airspace.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth condemned Russia's invasion of NATO airspace, declaring US solidarity with Estonia. Three Russian MiG-31s violated Estonian airspace on September 19.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated at the UN General Assembly that Russia's invasion of European airspace indicates a threat of destabilization for all European countries. He emphasized the growing "disagreements" that hinder the global order.
Ukraine, the EU, and 36 countries jointly called on Russia to stop the killings and start negotiations with Ukraine. The statement was made at the UN on September 23, 2025.
President Zelenskyy at the UN General Assembly announced a resolution condemning Russia's abduction of children. A pilot mechanism for tracing deported children has been launched with the support of a number of countries, including Austria, Latvia, and Estonia.
US President Donald Trump said that NATO countries should shoot down Russian planes that violate their airspace. This was stated during a joint conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The Seimas of Lithuania adopted amendments to laws that allow the army to respond more quickly to drones that pose a threat to the country's airspace. This provides a new legal mechanism for the use of military force against drones in restricted areas.
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.