Following a recent incursion into Estonian airspace by Russian fighter jets, calls for a bolstered European air defense system are growing louder. Manfred Weber, Chairman of the European People’s Party (EPP), has urged for a robust response to what he characterized as provocative actions by Russia.
Speaking to Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers, Weber stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not solely provoking, but actively testing the defensive capabilities of Europe. He emphasized the urgent need for a strengthened European air defense system in light of these incidents.
The Estonian government reported that three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated Estonian airspace on Friday, remaining unauthorized for approximately twelve minutes. This incident follows a similar occurrence less than two weeks prior, in which over twenty Russian drones entered Polish airspace, prompting NATO jets to intercept and shoot down several. The repeated airspace breaches are fueling discussions regarding Europe’s defensive posture and the potential for a more unified and powerful air defense response.
