(Moscow, 23rd) Russian Presidential Press Secretary Peskov stated on the 22nd that Estonia's recent accusation of Russia allegedly violating its airspace is 'groundless', and that Estonia is attempting to escalate tensions and provoke a confrontational atmosphere.
He told the media: 'We have never heard the Estonian side claim to possess objective verification data.'
He stated that the Russian Ministry of Defense has completely denied Estonia's claims and that Russian military personnel strictly abide by international aviation regulations.
On the 19th, Estonia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: 'Three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace without permission and remained there for as long as 12 minutes.'
On the 20th, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that three Russian fighter jets flew from Karelia to Kaliningrad Oblast on the 19th, and according to monitoring equipment, the flight strictly adhered to international airspace usage regulations, without violating the borders of any other country.
According to reports from Estonian Public Broadcasting, NATO member state fighter jets will be conducting a series of flight training exercises over Estonian airspace from the 22nd to the 28th of this month, including low-altitude flights. Since the Baltic states joined NATO in 2004, their airspace has been patrolled by fighter jets from NATO member states on a rotating basis.
He told the media: 'We have never heard the Estonian side claim to possess objective verification data.'
He stated that the Russian Ministry of Defense has completely denied Estonia's claims and that Russian military personnel strictly abide by international aviation regulations.
On the 19th, Estonia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: 'Three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace without permission and remained there for as long as 12 minutes.'
On the 20th, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that three Russian fighter jets flew from Karelia to Kaliningrad Oblast on the 19th, and according to monitoring equipment, the flight strictly adhered to international airspace usage regulations, without violating the borders of any other country.
According to reports from Estonian Public Broadcasting, NATO member state fighter jets will be conducting a series of flight training exercises over Estonian airspace from the 22nd to the 28th of this month, including low-altitude flights. Since the Baltic states joined NATO in 2004, their airspace has been patrolled by fighter jets from NATO member states on a rotating basis.