Core Points - Lithuanian military reported that two Russian military aircraft briefly violated Lithuanian airspace on October 23, prompting NATO fighter jets to patrol the area [1] - The Russian Defense Ministry denied the allegations, stating that the aircraft were conducting routine training flights and did not deviate from their designated flight paths [1] Summary by Sections Incident Details - On October 23, around 6 PM local time, a Russian Su-30 fighter jet and an Il-78 tanker aircraft entered Lithuanian airspace by 700 meters, remaining for approximately 18 seconds before leaving [1] - The two Russian aircraft were likely conducting aerial refueling training at the time of the incident [1] Response from Lithuania - Lithuanian President Nausėda and Prime Minister Ručinskienė condemned the violation of airspace by Russian military aircraft [1] - The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry summoned officials from the Russian embassy to express a formal protest [1] NATO's Reaction - Spanish Air Force Typhoon fighter jets, which were on NATO air policing duties, were scrambled to patrol the vicinity of the incident [1] Previous Incidents - On September 9 and 19, Poland and Estonia reported similar violations involving Russian drones and fighter jets, which were also denied by Russia [1] - NATO has initiated "Eastern Sentinel" military operations to enhance defense and deterrence posture along its eastern flank [1]

Core Points - Estonia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Russian chargé d'affaires to protest against the violation of its airspace by Russian fighter jets [1] - The incident involved three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entering Estonian airspace without permission and remaining for 12 minutes over the Gulf of Finland [1] Group 1 - Estonia's Prime Minister Kaja Kallas announced that the government has requested NATO to invoke Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty for consultations, which allows member states to discuss threats to territorial integrity, political independence, or security [2] - Kallas emphasized that Russia's actions are completely unacceptable and that NATO's response to any provocation must be unified and strong [2] - Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that political and economic pressure must be increased immediately to address Russia's escalating border provocations and aggressive actions [2] Group 2 - Estonia's Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur highlighted that the incident underscores the need to strengthen NATO's "Eastern Sentinel" military operations to enhance air defense capabilities along the eastern flank of NATO [2] - The incident occurs amid heightened tensions along NATO's eastern flank, following a recent event where numerous drones entered Polish airspace, which Poland attributed to Russia [2] - NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced the initiation of the "Eastern Sentinel" military operation to bolster deterrence and defense posture in the eastern alliance [2]