Estonia Protests "Russian Military Helicopter Violates Airspace"... Baltic Sea Tensions Rise

"Additional Provocative Acts Cannot Be Tolerated"
Conflict with Baltic States Following Lithuania

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Estonia, a Baltic Sea coastal country bordering Russia, has strongly protested against the incursion of a Russian military helicopter into its airspace. Following the neighboring country Lithuania's restrictions on cargo transportation to Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave, which heightened tensions, Russia's military provocations against Estonia have significantly escalated military tensions in the Baltic Sea region.

On the 21st (local time), the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying, "A Russian military Mi-8 helicopter flew for 2 minutes without permission in our airspace on the evening of the 18th," and added, "Estonia considers this a very serious and regrettable incident. Such actions that undoubtedly provoke further tension are completely unacceptable," strongly criticizing Russia.

The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also summoned the Russian ambassador stationed in Estonia on the same day to strongly protest, stating, "Russia must stop threatening neighboring countries and understand that the consequences of invading Ukraine are truly severe."

Estonia had also summoned the Russian ambassador on the 10th to strongly protest remarks made by President Vladimir Putin. On the 9th, President Putin, at the 350th anniversary event of the birth of Peter the Great, referred to the Great Northern War fought between Peter the Great and Sweden, saying, "He did not take something away but reclaimed it," mentioning Narva, currently Estonia's third-largest city, which was then Swedish territory, sparking Estonia's backlash.

Conflicts with Lithuania, a neighboring country of both Russia and Estonia, are also intensifying. Since the 18th, Lithuania has significantly restricted cargo transportation passing through its territory to Kaliningrad, a western Russian exclave, escalating tensions with Russia. The Lithuanian government explained that this was to block the transportation of EU-sanctioned goods passing through Lithuania in accordance with European Union (EU) sanctions. In response, Russia summoned the acting Lithuanian ambassador and the EU ambassador to its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in succession to protest and warned of strong retaliation.