Estonia seeks NATO consultations after Russia jets incident

Estonia requested a consultation of NATO powers after the Baltic nation said three Russian fighter jets violated its airspace in a “brazen” 12-minute incursion. Estonia’s president said air defense “must be a priority.”

Three Russian fighter jets violated NATO member Estonia’s airspace for 12 minutes on Friday in an “unprecedented brazen” incursion, its government said.

Russian jets have violated Estonian airspace in the past, but usually only briefly. The length of Friday’s incursion was unusual.

However, a statement from Russia’s Defense Ministry said the flight was in keeping with “international rules governing airspace” and “did not violate” Estonia’s borders.

Meanwhile, Poland deployed aircraft during a massive overnight Russian attack on neighboring Ukraine.

Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at least three people were killed and dozens of others were hurt.

This blog is now closed. Please read below to learn about the news on Russian violation of Estonian airspace as well as the latest developments in Russia’s war in Ukraine on September 20.

Austria’s OMV fires executive accused of spying for Russia — report

Austria’s majority state-owned energy group OMV has dismissed an executive over allegations of espionage for Russia, according to an exclusive report published by the Austrian news magazine Profil.

According to the magazine, the OMV employee attracted attention after meetings with a Russian diplomat suspected by Western intelligence services of being linked to Russia’s domestic intelligence service, the FSB.

Austria’s domestic intelligence agency DSN had reportedly been monitoring the executive for several months.

OMV told Reuters that the employee’s contract was terminated with immediate effect and said it is fully cooperating with authorities. The company declined to provide further details, citing data protection.

Austria’s Foreign Ministry has summoned the Russian charge d’affaires in Vienna, who was asked to waive the Russian diplomat’s immunity.

“Otherwise, he would have been considered persona non grata and would have had to leave Austria,” the ministry told Reuters.

According to Profil, the OMV executive had been temporarily assigned to the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), which owns a 25% stake in OMV.

The two companies are planning to merge their petrochemical subsidiaries, Borouge and Borealis. The employee reportedly had insights into both firms and passed information to the Russian diplomat during meetings in Vienna.

Source : https://www.dw.com/en/estonia-seeks-nato-consultations-after-russia-jets-incident/live-74071954