Two NATO members have accused Russia of provocation along the alliance’s eastern flank.
Poland said on Thursday that its fighter jets had intercepted a Russian Su-24 bomber that performed “dangerous” maneuvers in international airspace over the Baltic Sea.
The next day, Finland said it was investigating whether Russian aircraft had breached the NATO member’s airspace.
Newsweek has contacted the Russian defense ministry for comment.
Why It Matters
Alliance members bordering the Baltic, which has been dubbed a “NATO Lake,” have accused Moscow of high-risk behavior around its airspace. The latest accusations raise fears of miscalculation and test the alliance’s Article 5 mutual defense clause.
What To Know
Polish defense minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said Thursday Warsaw’s fighter jets intercepted a Russian Sukhoi Su-24 bomber in international airspace over the Baltic Sea.
He called the Russian actions “dangerous and intentional” and said that Polish pilots detected, intercepted, and forced the bomber to withdraw from the area.
The encounter took place between Poland and Lithuania near Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave from where Moscow’s military aircraft frequently fly. Russian pilots often disable their transponders, do not file flight plans, and do not notify regional air traffic control, which NATO officials have described as high-risk behavior.
On Friday, Finnish defense minister Antti Häkkänen said that two Russian military aircraft are suspected of violating Finnish airspace off the coast of Porvoo.
Häkkänen said the Finnish Border Guard is investigating the incident and without providing any more details, added, “we take the suspected territorial violation seriously.”
Finland shares an 800-mile border with Russia and joined NATO in 2023 following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The alliance has raised the alarm over an increasing number of incidents inside or near its airspace.
Estonia said that a Russian military jet violated its airspace on May 13 after the Estonian Navy tried to stop the tanker Jaguar, believed to be in Moscow’s shadow fleet that circumvents oil sanctions.
What People Are Saying
Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen: “We take the suspected territorial violation seriously and an investigation is underway.”
Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz: “Maneuvers performed by the Russian Su-24…were dangerous and intentional.”
What Happens Next
Adding to NATO concerns is the latest warning of a Russian military buildup next to the border of Finland.
Finnish defense forces’ head of strategy Major General Sami Nurmi said Thursday that Russia’s military had started “moderate preparations” on infrastructure close to the Finnish border.
Finnish military analyst Emil Kastehelmi told Newsweek this month that Helsinki is investing significantly more in defense to deal with the potential threat.
“Continuous development and preparation work is underway, which boosts the deterrence of Finland and the whole northeastern flank of NATO,” he added.
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