The United Nations Security Council will hold a meeting tomorrow (Monday) to discuss Russia's alleged violation of Estonian airspace over the weekend, amid rising anger in the West over Moscow's new incursion into NATO airspace.

Russian Denial and Estonian Confirmation

The Kremlin denied that its fighter jets violated Estonian airspace last Friday, but Estonia, a NATO member, confirmed that three Russian MiG-31 aircraft remained in its airspace for 12 minutes.

This incident follows the incursion of at least 20 Russian drones into Polish airspace earlier this month, where NATO military assets shot down some of these drones, marking the first time in NATO's history that hostile targets have been engaged in European airspace.

First Emergency Meeting at Estonia's Request

The Security Council meeting coincides with the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Russia's alleged violations of European airspace and escalating tensions between Russia and NATO are key issues for discussion. Estonian media reported that this will be the first emergency meeting requested by Estonia from the Security Council.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated in a press release: "On September 19, three armed Russian fighter jets entered Estonian airspace for 12 minutes, violating Estonia's territorial sovereignty and breaching the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force."

He added: "Russia's blatant violation of our airspace undermines the fundamental principles of security for all UN member states; therefore, it is essential to address these actions, especially when committed by a permanent member of the Security Council."

Russian Veto

It is worth noting that Russia, along with the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and China, is a permanent member of the Security Council and holds veto power to block any significant actions.

The Russian Ministry of Defense denied the violation, stating in a statement reported by official Russian media that the three aircraft were on a scheduled flight from Karelia to an airport in Kaliningrad, and that they operated in strict accordance with international airspace rules, without violating the borders of other countries.

It added that the flight path of the aircraft passed over neutral Baltic waters, more than three kilometers away from the Estonian island of Vaindloo.

NATO's Anger

The incident has sparked widespread anger within NATO, as the U.S. mission to the alliance issued a statement last Saturday condemning the Russian violation and pledging to protect NATO territory.

A post on the "X" platform stated: "We strongly condemn Russia's violation of Estonian airspace, we stand firmly with our Estonian allies, and we will resolutely protect NATO territory."