MOSCOW, September 6. /TASS/. Russian military aircraft did not violate Estonia’s airspace near Vaindloo Island, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov told journalists on Tuesday.
"Russia’s Aerospace Forces’ aircraft have not violated Estonia’s airspace in the vicinity of Vaindloo Island," Konashenkov said.
He said the Russian Aerospace Forces’ An-72s "did not make any flights in the indicated area yesterday."
"Aircraft of Russia’s Aerospace Forces regularly make planned flights above the Baltic Sea, but the routes of their flight lie in strict accordance with the international rules of the use of airspace above neutral waters," Konashenkov said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Estonia’s Defense Forces said that a Russian An-72 entered the country’s airspace near Vaindloo Island without permission at 18:23 Monday. The Defense Forces said the aircraft’s transponder was switched on, but the plane did not maintain radio contact with Estonia’s air traffic controllers; the Estonian side was also allegedly not provided with a flight plan.
Russia’s embassy in Estonia reported that the Russian ambassador was given a protest note. According to Estonia’s Foreign Ministry, Russia’s An-72 allegedly went into the Baltic state’s airspace by 2.2 kilometers and spent some 1.5 minutes in it.