US President Donald Trump commented on a violation of the Estonian airspace by Russian fighters. In his opinion, this can cause a “serious problem”.
Trump commented on the actions of Russia
The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday that three Russian MiG -31 fighters were in the Estonian airspace – more precisely: near the island of Vaindloo on the Gulf of Finnish. They were to fly freely in this area 12 minutes. According to the services, Russian pilots were unlikely to have a flight plan, the aircraft had turned off transponders, i.e. wireless communication devices, so they did not take radio communication with the Estonian air traffic control.
Trump commented everything:
This can cause serious problems.
He added that the services “will soon convey to him” detailed information “about what exactly happened.
What does Russia strive for?
Russia can have several goals: both political, military and psychological. It may violate the airspace of other countries to see how quickly their air defense systems, aviation and military command react with what means.
In addition, this type of incidents can be a form of a military force show, aimed at intimidating neighboring countries, especially those belonging to NATO. It is a form of reminding that Russia is a military power, ready to act close to the borders of opponents.
An information war can overlap: calling internal tensions in the country, suggesting its citizens that the government and services do not provide them with security.
Everything took place shortly after 19 drones flew into the Polish airspace. The goal was the same: checking NATO’s readiness for defense, sowing confusion and showing citizens that the Polish government did not prepare for such incidents.
All these still elements of the hybrid war, which can, however, be an introduction to a kinetic conflict. The goal of Russia is simply to show NATO’s lack of perception and forcing the withdrawal of the Alliance’s troops from the countries that joined it after 1997, in practice: Poland and the Baltic countries, i.e. those whose defense capabilities are now so intensively tested.
