NATO's Baltic Air Policing Mission Under Scrutiny Amid Rising Russian Military Activity
A Russian Su-30 fighter jet briefly entered Estonian airspace near Vaindloo Island on March 18, 2026, prompting an Italian Air Force response as part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission. Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the aircraft remained inside Estonian airspace for about one minute. According to AeroTime, this incident follows several similar incidents in 2025 and raises concerns about Russia’s military activity in the region. The Ecurrent Ämari rotation, carried out by the Italian Air Force with F-35s and Eurofighter Typhoons, is part of NATO’s efforts to safeguard Baltic airspace.