The Russian incursion happened a week after NATO planes downed Russian drones over Poland and heightened fears that the war in Ukraine could spill over.

Nato intercepted three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets, which remained in Estonian airspace for 12 minutes on Friday.

NATO intercepted three Russian jets that violated Estonia’s airspace on Friday, the country’s foreign ministry and an alliance spokesperson said.

The incursion was by three Russian fighter aircraft and took place over the Gulf of Finland, Estonia's foreign affairs ministry said.

Russian fighter jets on Friday flew into Estonian airspace for 12 minutes, a move the country called a "brazen intrusion."

Three Russian fighter jets entered Estonian airspace for several minutes earlier in the day, before leaving again, according to the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Russia has already violated Estonia’s airspace four times this year,

Russian jets carrying Kinzhal ballistic missiles breached Estonian airspace, prompting NATO interception and potential Article 4 consultation requests, according to sources.

It said three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets "entered Estonian airspace without permission and remained there for a total of 12 minutes" on Friday over the Gulf of Finland. The ministry says it summoned the Russian chargé d'affaires "to lodge a protest".