Russian planes prompt the elevation of two Italian F-35 fighter jets over Estonian skies.
The skies over Estonia were abuzz on August 13, 2025, as two Italian F-35 Lightning II jets took off from Ämari Air Base under NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission [1][4][5]. The mission was a response to a violation of Estonia's airspace by unspecified Russian aircraft [10].
The Italian F-35s, deployed as part of Operation Baltic Eagle III, brought advanced stealth, radar, and sensor capabilities to NATO's Quick Reaction Alert network [1]. This enabled early detection and tracking of multiple threats, a significant milestone as it marked the first known interception with Italian-operated fifth-generation fighters in the Baltic theatre.
The Russian aircraft intercepted were a Sukhoi Su-24 and a Su-27, operating close to Alliance airspace without flight plans or active transponders [4]. The Su-24 is a low-level penetration strike aircraft, while the Su-27 is a long-range air superiority fighter often escorting strike aircraft. NATO assessments suggest these jets originated from the Kaliningrad region, used for rapid probing of NATO reaction times [4].
The deployment of the Italian Air Force F-35s for NATO patrolling serves as a reminder of the ongoing tensions between NATO and Russia. This is not the first time NATO allies have scrambled jets in response to Russian air activity near their territory [7]. The incident also indicates a continued vigilance by NATO allies in securing their airspace [8].
The Russian Ministry of Defense maintains that their military aircraft flights adhere to international rules for airspace use [6]. However, the alleged trigger for this action was Russian air activity [2]. The incident did not cause confusion in Russia, but rather in the US, due to a separate statement by Zelensky before the Alaska meeting [9].
The mission was a clear demonstration of NATO’s resolve to safeguard Baltic airspace during heightened tensions, following similar recent interceptions by other NATO allies like Hungary [3]. NATO officials have warned that if deterrence fails, there could be an increased risk of Russian aggression against Estonia within five to seven years, making such missions critical for regional security [3][4].
In summary, the August 13 incident in Estonia represents a historic and strategic deployment of Italian F-35s in NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, involving the interception of Russian aircraft to maintain the integrity and security of NATO airspace [1][2][3][4][5]. This event underscores the commitment of NATO allies to ensuring the security of their airspace in the face of increased Russian aerial activity.
References: 1. NATO Press Release 2. Il Messaggero Article 3. CNN Article 4. Defense News Article 5. Reuters Article 6. Russian Ministry of Defense Statement 7. Previous NATO Scrambles Article 8. NATO Vigilance Article 9. Zelensky Alaska Meeting Statement 10. NATO Air Command Statement
