Lyce · Hybrid Watch
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Russian Il-76 transport aircraft violates Estonian airspace near Vaindloo Island.
On the morning of 22 June 2025, an Il-76 transport aircraft operated by Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations entered Estonian airspace without permission near Vaindloo Island. The Estonian Defence Forces reported that it remained inside the country’s airspace for approximately four minutes. The aircraft had a submitted flight plan and its transponder was switched on. However, it lacked two-way radio communication with Estonian air traffic services during the violation. After the incursion, the aircraft continued into Russian airspace. Estonian authorities identified this as the second violation of their airspace by a Russian aircraft in 2025. Kaitsevägi On 25 June, Estonia’s Foreign Ministry summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires and delivered a formal protest note. Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna described the incident as extremely serious and requested an explanation from Russia. Välisministeerium Although the supplied AeroTime article primarily concerns the three MiG-31 aircraft involved in the September incident, it separately references this June Il-76 incursion. The June event should therefore be recorded as a confirmed Russian state-aircraft airspace violation, with no established basis in these sources for describing it as a deliberate attack or reconnaissance mission.
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On the morning of 22 June 2025, an Il-76 transport aircraft operated by Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations entered Estonian airspace without permission near Vaindloo Island. The Estonian Defence Forces reported that it remained inside the country’s airspace for approximately four minutes. The aircraft had a submitted flight plan and its transponder was switched on. However, it lacked two-way radio communication with Estonian air traffic services during the violation. After the incursion, the aircraft continued into Russian airspace. Estonian authorities identified this as the second violation of their airspace by a Russian aircraft in 2025. Kaitsevägi On 25 June, Estonia’s Foreign Ministry summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires and delivered a formal protest note. Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna described the incident as extremely serious and requested an explanation from Russia. Välisministeerium Although the supplied AeroTime article primarily concerns the three MiG-31 aircraft involved in the September incident, it separately references this June Il-76 incursion. The June event should therefore be recorded as a confirmed Russian state-aircraft airspace violation, with no established basis in these sources for describing it as a deliberate attack or reconnaissance mission.