Kremlin criticizes NATO threats of force over airspace violations

The Kremlin has criticized NATO for saying it may shoot down Russian aircraft in the event of a future airspace violation.

The mood in Europe is becoming increasingly heated, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Russian state television on Friday.

“Statements that Russian aircraft must be shot down are, at the very least, reckless, irresponsible and, of course, dangerous because of their consequences,” he said.

Once again, Peskov rejected accusations that Russia had violated Estonian airspace. There is no evidence of this, he said.

At Estonia’s request, NATO countries convened for a special meeting at their headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday after three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets flew over Estonian airspace for about 12 minutes over the Baltic Sea.

The military alliance warned against any further border violations, threatening the use of force.

NATO chief Mark Rutte said that “the decisions on whether to engage intruding aircraft, such as firing upon them, are taken in real-time.”

Before the incident in Estonia, Poland had complained that Russian drones had entered Polish airspace. Several flying objects were shot down – but in this case, too, Moscow denied responsibility for the incidents.