As Europe grapples with growing unease over Russian military movements, Czech President Petr Pavel has issued a stern warning to NATO: the alliance must be prepared to respond decisively to any breaches of allied airspace—even if that means shooting down Russian aircraft.
Speaking during a high-level Security Council meeting, Pavel stressed that tolerance for violations has limits.
“Russia will realise very quickly that they have made a mistake and crossed the acceptable boundaries,” Pavel said.
“Unfortunately, this is teetering on the edge of conflict, but giving in to evil is simply not an option.”
His comments come amid escalating tensions following a recent incursion by Russian fighter jets into Estonian airspace.
UN Emergency Meeting Called by Estonia
In response to the violation, Estonia has formally requested an emergency United Nations Security Council session, set to convene on Monday at 15:00 BST.
Officials in Tallinn described the breach as a “blatant, reckless, and flagrant violation of NATO airspace.”
Three Russian MiG-31 fighters entered Estonian skies over the Gulf of Finland last Friday, prompting NATO to scramble Italian F-35 jets, supported by Swedish and Finnish aircraft, to intercept and warn off the Russians. Moscow has denied any wrongdoing.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal condemned the incursion, emphasizing the need for a strong and united NATO response.
Ukraine, meanwhile, has requested to attend the emergency session, with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha calling the situation unprecedented in scale and a clear threat to European stability.
NATO’s Red Line and Rising Risks
The violation comes only weeks after Russia’s drones entered Polish airspace during missile strikes on Ukraine, damaging civilian property and raising concerns about potential escalation into direct conflict.
Western leaders have repeatedly warned that Moscow’s actions risk triggering NATO’s mutual defence obligations, which could draw the alliance directly into hostilities.
US President Donald Trump weighed in on Sunday, confirming he had been briefed on the incident and asserting that America would support Poland and the Baltic states if the crisis escalates.
“Yeah, I would. I would,” he said. “We don’t like it.” His tone marks a shift from earlier downplaying of similar incidents.
Historical Context: The Last NATO-Russian Shootdown
The last time a NATO member shot down a Russian jet was in November 2015, when Turkey downed a Sukhoi Su-24 near the Syria–Turkey border.
After repeated radio warnings went unheeded, Turkish F-16s engaged the aircraft, which crashed inside Syria.
The incident sparked a major diplomatic crisis, including sanctions and a temporary breakdown in relations between Moscow and Ankara.
Experts note that such historical precedents underscore the seriousness of any incursion into NATO airspace and the need for clearly defined “red lines.”
NATO Allies Call for Unified Action
In the wake of the Estonian incursion, military officials across Europe have voiced strong warnings.
Sweden and Germany deployed aircraft to monitor a Russian IL-20 reconnaissance plane flying over international waters in the South Baltic without a flight plan, after which it refused to make contact.
Air Marshal Greg Bagwell, a former RAF commander, emphasized on social media the need for NATO to clearly define red lines and respond decisively to violations.
The UK’s Defence Secretary added that Typhoon jets are fully prepared to neutralize any Russian drones entering NATO territory, stressing that there will be no hesitation to act.
Escalation or Containment?
With multiple Russian incursions into NATO airspace this year and tensions over Ukraine continuing to simmer, European leaders face a delicate balancing act.
The upcoming UN Security Council session will be closely watched as allies debate the appropriate response, with the message from Prague, Tallinn, and Brussels clear: any breach of NATO airspace carries serious consequences.