September 19, 2025

Information Cutoff: 12:15 pm ET

Jennie Olmsted, Anna Harvey, Grace Mappes, Olivia Gibson, Justin Young, Ian Matthews, and Kateryna Stepanenko 

Russian MiG-31 interceptor jets violated Estonian airspace on September 19. The Estonian General Staff reported on September 19 that three Russian MiG-31 interceptor jets violated Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland near Vaindloo Island (about 81 kilometers southeast of Helsinki) for roughly 12 minutes. The Estonian General Staff reported that the Russian aircraft had no published flight plans and that the aircrafts’ transponders were disabled, preventing Estonian air traffic control from two-way communication with the pilots. NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) reported that NATO scrambled Italian F-35 fighter jets based in Estonia as part of Operation Eastern Sentry and that Sweden and Finland also scrambled their respective quick reaction aircraft. Estonian Defense Forces Spokesperson Major Taavi Karotamm stated that the Russian MiG-31s flew parallel to the Estonian border from east to west and entered Estonian airspace at a depth of less than 10 kilometers. Karotamm added that Finnish Air Force fighter jets and Italian F-35s escorted the Russian jets from Estonian airspace to Kaliningrad Oblast. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated on September 19 that this is the fourth time that Russia violated Estonian airspace in 2025, but that the September 19 incursion involving three fighter jets is “unprecedentedly brazen.” Russian military aviation previously violated Estonian airspace near Vaindloo Island on June 2 and September 7, and southwest of the island near Juminda on May 13.

European officials continue to discuss the creation of a defensive “drone wall” and provide military support for Ukraine following Russia’s violation of Polish airspace on September 9 to 10. European Union (EU) Defense and Space Commissioner Andrius Kubilius stated on September 18 that he will convene EU defense ministers next week to discuss the creation of a “drone wall” on the EU’s eastern border in response to Russia’s drone incursion into Poland. Kubilius stated that the project will likely include a mix of sensors and defense and jamming systems to detect and neutralize drones, and suggested that the EU could complete the drone wall within a year. Kubilius first announced the drone wall proposal on September 15 and stated that Russia’s drone incursion over Poland demonstrated the EU’s need to increase its capabilities to defend against potential drone strikes. Kubilius stated that the EU will cooperate with Ukraine to develop the drone wall project. Ukrainian Presidential Administration Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak expressed support for Ukraine’s potential involvement in the EU drone wall project. A NATO representative told Ukrainian outlet Suspilne on September 19 that Ukraine’s allies delivered the first weapons purchased through the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative, through which European states purchase weapons for Ukraine from the United States.

The Kremlin continues to reject blame for the Russian drone incursion into Poland’s airspace. Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Spokesperson Maria Zakharova claimed on September 19 that the circumstances surrounding the recent drone incursion into Polish airspace on September 10 remain unclear. Zakharova claimed that European countries are accusing Russia of launching the drones without presenting compelling evidence and that Poland’s refusal to consult with Russian officials demonstrates that the broader West is uninterested in understanding the incident. Russian officials have consistently rejected responsibility for the drone incursion and criticized European efforts to defend against Russian aggression.

• Russian MiG-31 interceptor jets violated Estonian airspace on September 19.

• European officials continue to discuss the creation of a defensive “drone wall” and provide military support for Ukraine following Russia’s violation of Polish airspace on September 9 to 10.

• The Kremlin continues to reject blame for the Russian drone incursion into Poland’s airspace.

• Russia is reportedly using joint energy ventures to sell military equipment to Vietnam and evade Western sanctions.

• Russian forces continue to commit war crimes in Ukraine, including executions of civilians.

• Russia continues to censor critics of its war in Ukraine, including critics of Russia’s handling of the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Oblast.

• Russian forces advanced in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical area and in eastern Zaporizhia Oblast, and near Lyman and Novopavlivka.

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