Baltic Sea Tensions Escalate
Polish authorities have claimed that Russian military jets entered the safety perimeter around an oil platform in the Baltic Sea. The Ministry of Defence described the intrusion as dangerous and conducted without prior clearance, heightening concerns about Russia’s ongoing military presence near NATO borders.
NATO Intervenes Over Estonia
In a related incident, NATO confirmed that Italian F-35 fighters intercepted Russian MiG-31 aircraft over Estonia close to Vaindloo Island. The Russian jets reportedly flew without filed flight plans, had their transponders off, and failed to communicate with Estonian air traffic control. Estonian officials labeled the maneuver a provocative act and submitted a formal protest to Moscow.
EU Expands Sanctions Against Russia
The European Union denounced the airspace violations as a serious security threat. In response, it unveiled its 19th sanctions package targeting Russian banks, military-linked companies, LNG exports, and cryptocurrency platforms. The measures also include a total ban on Russian LNG imports starting in January 2027, reflecting growing European concern over Russian military actions in the Baltic region.
