London: Russian fighter jets have triggered a security alert over Europe by flying over Estonian territory before being intercepted by NATO aircraft, just as the European Union unveils more economic sanctions against Russia over its war on Ukraine.

The three Russian jets violated Estonian airspace for 12 minutes in a provocative move that heightens tensions with NATO allies after Russian drones flew over Poland and Romania in recent days.

Estonia invoked the NATO defence treaty to call for consultations with its allies after condemning the “brazen” incursion into its territory.

The three MiG-31 jets were escorted out of Estonian airspace by Italian F-35 fighter aircraft deployed by NATO under the Baltic Sentry program, which was launched in January to respond to Russian provocations.

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