Polish fighter jets were scrambled overnight to protect the Nato-member country’s airspace during a major Russian air attack across Ukraine.
Polish aircraft and air defences were at the “highest state of readiness," the operational command said on X, as more than 600 drones and missiles were fired at Ukraine overnight in an air attack which killed at least three and injured dozens.
European countries are on high alert following a string of Russian incursions into Nato territory, as Moscow’s forces continue to probe and provoke the alliance’s defences.
An incursion of three fighter jets into Estonian airspace last night was dismissed by Moscow as a “scheduled” flight carried out in “strict accordance” with airspace rules.
Three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian territory on Friday night where they remained without permission for 12 minutes, the Estonian foreign ministry said.
US president Donald Trump has warned of “big trouble” as he grows increasingly dismayed by Russia’s provocations, including repeated drone and fighter jet incursions intoneighbouring countries including Poland and Romania.
"I don't love it. I don't like when that happens. Could be big trouble,” he told reporters, adding that he was yet to be fully briefed on the situation.
Nato will meet in Estonia early next week to discuss the Russian incursion.
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Key Points
- Polish and allied aircraft scrambled again overnight
- Russia denies incursion, says flights were scheduled
- Trump says Russian incursion 'could be big trouble'
- Three killed and dozens injured as Russia launches 619 drones and missiles - Zelensky
- Trump to meet Zelensky at next week's UN General Assembly
- NATO to meet in Estonia to discuss Russia's airspace violations
Nato's borders are being intentionally tested, says Lithuania's defence minister
21:00 , Alex CroftLithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė said NATO’s borders were being tested for a reason.
In a post on X, she said: “Three russian fighter jets over Tallinn is one more hard proof that #EasternSentry is long due.
“PS. Türkiye set an example 10 years ago. Some food for thought.”
In 2015, a Russian aircraft was shot down by the Turkish air force after it was claimed to have violated its airspace.
Russia threatening Finland with Ukraine playbook, says thinktank
20:01 , Alex CroftRussia's alleged violation of Estonian airspace comes just days after a think tank warned Moscow was threatening another Nato neighbour, Finland, using the same "playbook" as it used in Ukraine.
"High-ranking Kremlin officials have increased threats against Finland in recent weeks, including by using language that mirrors the Kremlin's false justifications for its invasions of Ukraine," the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) think tank said in an analysis published on Thursday.
"ISW continues to assess that the playbook Russia is currently using to threaten NATO mirrors the playbook Russia previously used to set informational conditions justifying its aggression against Ukraine."
'Putin is testing the West's resolve'
18:59 , Alex CroftEurope's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the "violation of Estonia's airspace by Russian military aircraft is an extremely dangerous provocation".
She added that the EU "stands in full solidarity with Estonia", and said: "We will continue to support our member states in strengthening their defences with European resources.”
"Putin is testing the West's resolve. We must not show weakness."
UK and US 'working together' to end wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Starmer says - ICYMI
18:18 , Alex CroftUkraine targets Russia's oil sector in overnight attack
17:39 , Alex CroftUkrainian drones overnight slammed into an energy facility in Samara, southwestern Russia, according to the local governor and Ukraine's General Staff.
Ukraine on Saturday claimed its drones struck the Novokuibyshevsk Refinery, a major producer of jet fuel that is operated by Russian oil major Rosneft. It said the strike resulted in explosions and a fire, Reuters are reporting.
Samara's regional governor, Vyacheslav Fedorishchev, said unspecified fuel and energy facilities were targeted. He later reported that four people had died in the attack.
Ukraine's General Staff also said a second Russian oil refinery was hit overnight, in the Saratov region directly south of Samara. A representative of Russia's aviation authority, Rosaviatsiya, said flights were briefly grounded overnight at Saratov and Samara airports, among other regional flight hubs.
Russia's Defense Ministry on Saturday said the military intercepted 149 Ukrainian drones overnight.
Zelensky looks to finalize security guarantees at UN General Assembly
17:01 , Alex CroftVolodymyr Zelensky has said that Ukraine and its partners have laid the groundwork for long-term security guarantees and that he hopes to gauge how close they are to finalizing such commitments during next week's meetings in New York.
He said European nations are prepared to move forward with a framework if the United States remains closely engaged. He noted that discussions have taken place at multiple levels, including among military leadership and general staffs from both Europe and the US.
"I would like to receive signals for myself on how close we are to understanding that the security guarantees from all partners will be the kind we need," Mr Zelensky said.
He said sanctions against Russia must remain on the table if peace efforts stall, and that he plans to press the issue in talks with Trump.
"If the war continues and there is no movement toward peace, we expect sanctions," he said, adding that Trump is looking for strong steps from Europe.
UK to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine war effort as world condemns Putin over Estonia incursion
16:30 , Alex CroftFrozen Russian assets could be used to fund billions of pounds worth of Ukraine’s war effort, Rachel Reeves will announce.
The chancellor will say it is the “right to explore all options to support Ukraine”, at a meeting with her European counterparts in Copenhagen on Saturday.
It comes after Russia provoked global outrage when its jets flew into Estonian airspace on Friday.
The Independent’s Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin with the full report:
UK to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine as world condemns Putin over Estonia
More on Russia's overnight air attack
15:57 , Alex CroftWe’re getting more detail through on Russia’s huge overnight air attack on Ukraine overnight.
At least 30 people were wounded in the attack in Ukraine's central Dnipropetrovsk region, local governor Serhii Lysak said. Several high-rise buildings and homes were damaged in the eastern city of Dnipro.
In the Kyiv region, local authorities said there were strikes in the areas of Bucha, Boryspil and Obukhiv. A home and cars were damaged. In the western region of Lviv, Gov. Maxim Kozytsky said two cruise missiles were shot down.
Russia launched 619 drones and missiles, Ukraine's Air Force said this morning, including 579 drones, eight ballistic missiles and 32 cruise missiles were detected. Ukrainian forces shot down and neutralized 552 drones, two ballistic missiles and 29 cruise missiles.
"During the air strike, tactical aviation, in particular F-16 fighters, effectively worked on the enemy's cruise missiles. Western weapons once again prove their effectiveness on the battlefield," the Air Force said in a statement.
Polish and allied aircraft scrambled again overnight
15:25 , Alex CroftPoland's Operational Command on Saturday said Polish and allied aircraft were deployed again overnight, due to Russian long-range airstrikes in neighboring Ukraine.
"Polish and allied aircraft are operating in our airspace, while ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems have been brought to the highest state of readiness," the operational command said in a post on X.
At 5:40am local time (4:40am UK time), nearly all of Ukraine was under air raid alerts following Ukrainian Air Force warnings of Russian missile and drone attacks.
Shortly after 5am, Polish and allied air forces ended the operation as airstrikes by the Russian Federation against Ukraine were ceased, the Polish command said, adding that the actions were "preventative and aimed at securing airspace in areas adjacent to the threatened area".
In a post on X later, the operational command described the operation as "preventive," and "aimed at securing the airspace in areas adjacent to the threatened zone."
Polish jets have been deployed repeatedly in recent months to patrol the country's airspace in connection with Russian attacks on Ukraine.
Last week, fellow Nato member Romania said it deployed two F-16 jets to intercept a drone that briefly entered its airspace.
Watch: Powerful magnitude-7.8 earthquake shakes Russia as Tsunami warning issued
14:52 , Alex CroftUS senators seek sanctions to sink Russia's 'shadow fleet'
14:20 , Alex CroftRepublican and Democratic senators are seeking a bill which would target Russia’s “shadow fleet”.
The "Sanctioning Harbors and Dodgers of Western Sanctions," or SHADOW Fleets Act, would provide a list of indicators the US could use to identify vessels supporting the fleet, making it easier to sanction them sooner.
It would also put in place strict sanctions liability for any ship that engages in a transfer with a sanctioned Russian vessel.
US Senator Jim Risch said: “Putin will use every trick in the book to evade U.S. sanctions, and the U.S. is cracking down on this illicit shadow fleet of ships that he uses to fund his war.
“These ships and the oil sales they facilitate directly threaten American and European security, and will be stopped.”
What have UK leaders said about Russia's incursion into Estonian airspace?
13:53 , Alex CroftUK officials have joined leaders across Europe in condemning Russia’s incursion into NATO airspace today.
Defence Secretary John Healey said: “This is yet another edition of the Putin playbook.
“Putin’s aggression only serves to strengthen the unity of NATO and our resolve to stand with Ukraine.”
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the UK was standing in solidarity with its Estonian allies, calling the incursion “reckless”
“We must continue to increase pressure on Putin, including driving forward the important new economic sanctions announced by the UK & EU in recent days,” she said.
Russia launches deadly large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine
13:30 , Alex CroftA large-scale Russian missile and drone attack struck multiple regions across Ukraine early on Saturday, killing at least three people and wounding dozens, Ukrainian officials confirmed.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated the assaults impacted nine regions, including Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhia, Poltava, Kyiv, Odesa, Sumy, and Kharkiv.
“The enemy’s target was our infrastructure, residential areas and civilian enterprises,” he said, adding that a missile equipped with cluster munitions struck a multi-story building in the city of Dnipro.
Read more on Russia’s latest deadly air attack on Ukraine:
Russia launches deadly large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine
Watch: 'Russia are testing the doorknobs like a burglar' says David Frum as Russian jets violate Nato airspace
13:02 , Alex CroftUK spy boss warns Putin is ‘stringing us along’ in stark outgoing speech
12:35 , Alex CroftBritain's top spy has delivered a stark warning that Vladimir Putin harbours "absolutely no evidence" of a genuine desire to negotiate a peace deal for Ukraine, accusing the Russian leader of "stringing us along".
Sir Richard Moore, the head of MI6, who will step down in September after five years, made the comments in an outgoing speech. He noted that despite months of US-led talks and Donald Trump’s ultimatums, a truce appears no closer.
Speaking at the British consulate in Istanbul on Friday, Sir Richard reiterated there was "absolutely no evidence" the Russian leader wants to settle the conflict. Instead, he suggested Mr Putin seeks to "impose his imperial will by all means at his disposal".
“But he cannot succeed,” Sir Richard said.
Read the full report:
UK spy boss warns Putin is ‘stringing us along’ in stark outgoing speech
Zelensky to meet Trump at next week's UN General Assembly
12:11 , Alex CroftVolodymyr Zelensky has said he will meet US counterpart Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly next week in comments made to reporters.
The Ukrainian president will hold "a meeting with the President of the United States" in which he will discuss security guarantees for Ukraine and sanctions on Russia, he said.
Mr Zelensky and Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov are due to address the General Assembly. Russian president Vladimir Putin does not traditionally attend the annual UN gathering.
Zelensky says Donetsk counteroffensive inflicting 'heavy losses' on Russia
11:45 , Alex CroftVolodymyr Zelensky has said Ukrainian forces are inflicting “heavy losses” on the Russian military in a counteroffensive in the eastern Donetsk region.
Ukrainian troops pressed on with a frontline counteroffensive around the two cities of Pokrovsk and Dobropillia in the east of the country on Friday.
Russia said its forces had captured two new villages in their slow advance through Ukraine's east and south, but its Defence Ministry made no reference to the Ukrainian counter.
In his nightly video address, Mr Zelensky said the counteroffensive had disrupted Russian plans in their longstanding objective of seizing the key tactical city of Pokrovsk, which is a critical part of Ukraine’s supply line to the frontline. .
"It was there that one of the most important directions of the Russian offensive was located, and they were unable to launch a full-fledged offensive there. Our military is destroying their forces," Mr Zelensky said.
Our counteroffensive operation in the Donetsk Region—Pokrovsk and Dobropillia sectors—continues. It was one of the most important axes for the Russians, but they failed to mount a full-scale offensive here. Our army is destroying their forces—inflicting heavy losses, taking POWs. pic.twitter.com/JPbdWhQMNj
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 19, 2025
Russia attacked 9 Ukrainian regions, says Zelensky
11:21 , Alex CroftUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Russia’s huge overnight drone attack attacks took place across nine regions, including Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhia, Poltava, Kyiv, Odesa, Sumy and Kharkiv.
The Russian military fired more than 600 drones and missiles into Ukrainian territory overnight, Kyiv’s air force said.
"The enemy's target was our infrastructure, residential areas and civilian enterprises," Mr Zelensky said, adding that a missile equipped with cluster munitions struck a multi-story building in the city of Dnipro.
"Each such strike is not a military necessity but a deliberate strategy by Russia to intimidate civilians and destroy our infrastructure," he added.
Russian fighter jet incursions in Estonia and drones in Poland: How the war in Ukraine is already a European conflict
10:50 , Alex CroftDonald Trump has warned that a third Russian incursion into Nato airspace, in which three fighter jet spent 12 minutes in Estonian airspace, could spell “big trouble” for Moscow.
It is the latest in a series of provocations by the Russian military, which has repeatedly sent drones into Poland and Romania as Moscow argues that Nato is already “fighting against Russia”.
“Nato is providing direct and indirect support to the Kyiv regime,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters. “It can be said with absolute certainty that Nato is fighting against Russia.”
Yet as Russia stages incursions into Nato territory and organises major drills with Belarus, experts say that Vladimir Putin is testing Nato’s response through its more aggressive movements past Ukrainian borders.
How the war in Ukraine has already become a European conflict
Russia claims control of village in Dnipropetrovsk region
10:24 , Alex CroftRussian troops have taken control of the village of Berezove in Ukraine's southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Saturday.
The ministry said its forces had successfully carried out strikes with high-precision weapons on Ukrainian military-industrial facilities overnight.
The Independent could not independently verify the battlefield reports.
'It could be big trouble': Trump issues warning to Russia after Estonia incursion
09:44 , Alex CroftRussia launches more than 600 drones and missiles at Ukraine overnight
09:14 , Alex CroftRussia launched more than 600 drones at Ukraine overnight, the Ukrainian air force said, in one of the largest air attacks of the war so far.
A total of 619 drones and missiles, including 579 drones, eight ballistic missiles and 32 cruise missiles, were detected.
Ukrainian forces shot down and neutralized 552 drones, two ballistic missiles and 29 cruise missiles.
"During the air strike, tactical aviation, in particular F-16 fighters, effectively worked on the enemy's cruise missiles. Western weapons once again prove their effectiveness on the battlefield," the Air Force said in a statement.
Three killed and dozens injured in major Russian air attack - Zelensky
08:29 , Alex CroftThree people were killed and dozens injured in a major Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine overnight, Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday.
The Ukrainian president said on X that Russia launched around 580 drones and 40 missiles targeting Ukraine's infrastructure, civilian production companies, and residential areas in different regions across the country.
“Every such strike is not a military necessity but a deliberate strategy by Russia to terrorize civilians and destroy our infrastructure,” Mr Zelensky wrote.
“That is why a strong international response is needed. Ukraine has proven it can defend itself and Europe, but for a reliable shield, we must act together: strengthen air defence, increase weapons supplies, and expand sanctions against Russia’s military machine and the sectors that finance it.”
All night, Ukraine was under a massive attack by Russia. The enemy launched 40 missiles – cruise and ballistic – and about 580 drones of various types. I thank all our warriors who defended the skies throughout the night, and our F-16 pilots, who once again proved their prowess… pic.twitter.com/ajjQV3XwnI
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 20, 2025
NATO to meet in Estonia to discuss Russia's airspace violations
08:00 , Stuti MishraNATO is set to assemble in Estonia next week to discuss Russia’s incursion into its airspace.
Allison Hart, the organisation’s spokesperson, said that the North Atlantic Council would convene early next week.
Estonia requested consultations under Article 4 of the Washington Treaty.
The article states that parties will consult together when “the territorial integrity, political independence or security” of any party is at risk.
It was last triggered by Poland on 10 September after Russia’s incursion into its airspace.
Earlier, Mrs Hart condemned the airspace violence. “This is yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour and NATO’s ability to respond,” she said.
Ukraine drones reportedly strike Russian oil refineries
07:15 , Stuti MishraUkrainian drones have reportedly struck oil refineries deep inside Russia, triggering explosions and fires in the regions of Saratov and Samara, according to Russian Telegram channels and local officials.
In Saratov, residents shared videos appearing to show a drone hitting an oil refinery on the city’s outskirts overnight on 20 September, causing a large blast and blaze visible from the city. Governor Roman Busargin confirmed one person was injured after a residential building was damaged during what he called a “Ukrainian drone attack,” though he did not directly mention the refinery.
The Saratov refinery, which produces more than 20 petroleum products including gasoline and diesel, has been hit before. Ukrainian strikes earlier this month caused a fire at the facility, which supplies the Russian military, according to Kyiv’s General Staff.
Farther east, residents in Novokuybyshevsk, Samara Oblast, reported a major fire near the city’s refinery, with geolocated footage suggesting damage to its main processing unit. Russia’s aviation authority briefly grounded flights at Samara airport during the attack.
Ukraine has not commented on the strikes, which follow a pattern of escalating attacks on Russian oil and gas infrastructure as Moscow faces mounting fuel shortages.
One dead and 13 injured after Russia launches missile and drone attack on Ukraine overnight
06:30 , Stuti MishraOne person died and 13 were injured after Russia carried out a large-scale missile and drone strike on Ukraine in the early hours of Saturday, hitting regions from Kyiv to the country’s far west.
Explosions were reported in Pavlohrad and Mykolaiv around 4.40am local time during an initial wave of attacks, followed by further blasts in Dnipro shortly after 6am.
Dnipropetrovsk Oblast governor Serhii Lysak said on Telegram that one person was killed and 13 injured in the attack on the region.
The Kyiv Oblast Military Administration said strikes damaged a home, 10 garage units and five parked cars in Bucha, Boryspil and Obukhiv. Mykolaiv mayor Oleksandr Senkevych said on Telegram there was damage in a residential area, though no casualties were reported.
Air raid sirens sounded across Ukraine from 5.45am until around 7am as dozens of drones and cruise and ballistic missiles were launched, according to Ukraine’s air force. Lviv governor Maxim Kozytsky said two cruise missiles were downed over the region.
The attack came after Russia allegedly violated Estonian airspace, prompting Nato consultations under Article 4.
Russia threatening Finland with Ukraine playbook, says thinktank
06:00 , Stuti MishraRussia's alleged violation of Estonian airspace comes just days after a think tank warned Moscow was threatening another Nato neighbour, Finland, using the same "playbook" as it used in Ukraine.
"High-ranking Kremlin officials have increased threats against Finland in recent weeks, including by using language that mirrors the Kremlin's false justifications for its invasions of Ukraine," the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) think tank said in an analysis published on Thursday.
"ISW continues to assess that the playbook Russia is currently using to threaten NATO mirrors the playbook Russia previously used to set informational conditions justifying its aggression against Ukraine."
'Putin is testing the West's resolve'
05:30 , Stuti MishraEurope's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the "violation of Estonia's airspace by Russian military aircraft is an extremely dangerous provocation".
She added that the EU "stands in full solidarity with Estonia", and said: "We will continue to support our member states in strengthening their defences with European resources.”
"Putin is testing the West's resolve. We must not show weakness."
NATO'S borders are being intentionally tested, says Lithuania's defence minister
05:00 , Stuti MishraLithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė said NATO’s borders were being tested for a reason.
In a post on X, she said: “Three russian fighter jets over Tallinn is one more hard proof that #EasternSentry is long due.
“PS. Türkiye set an example 10 years ago. Some food for thought.”
In 2015, a Russian aircraft was shot down by the Turkish air force after it was claimed to have violated its airspace.
Russia denies incursion, says flights were scheduled
04:30 , Stuti MishraA statement from the Russian military said the flight was "scheduled" and had been in "strict accordance" with airspace rules.
The statement read: "On September 19 of this year, three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets made a scheduled flight from Karelia to an airfield in the Kaliningrad region.
"The flight was conducted in strict accordance with the International Rules for the Use of Airspace, without violating the borders of other states, as confirmed by objective monitoring means.
"During the flight, the Russian aircraft did not deviate from the agreed air route and did not violate Estonian airspace. The flight route of the aircraft passed over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea basin at a distance of more than three kilometres from the island of Vaindlo."
What have UK leaders said about Russia's incursion into Estonian airspace?
04:00 , Harriette BoucherUK officials have joined leaders across Europe in condemning Russia’s incursion into NATO airspace today.
Defence Secretary John Healey said: “This is yet another edition of the Putin playbook.
“Putin’s aggression only serves to strengthen the unity of NATO and our resolve to stand with Ukraine.”
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the UK was standing in solidarity with its Estonian allies, calling the incursion “reckless”
“We must continue to increase pressure on Putin, including driving forward the important new economic sanctions announced by the UK & EU in recent days,” she said.
NATO articles 4 and 5 explained as North Atlantic Council set to meet in Estonia next week
02:45 , Harriette BoucherWhat is Article 4?
NATO Article 4 has now been triggered nine times in the past 75 years, two of which have occurred in less than two weeks.
The organisation has called a meeting in Estonia early next week to discuss Russia’s incursion into Estonia’s airspace on Friday. The meeting comes after Estonia requested consultations under Article 4 of the Washington Treaty.
Article 4 states that members of NATO can bring an issue forward for the North Atlantic Council, the organisation’s principal political decision-making body, to consult. The parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territory, political independence or security of any of them is threatened.
Since NATO was established in 1949, Article 4 has been invoked nine times, including today’s request. On 10 September, it was triggered by Poland after Polish forces shot down 19 drones over its airspace.
What is Article 5?
Article 5 states that "the Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all."
If members decided that Russia had attacked the territory of a member state, then Article 5 would be invoked and members would take the action they deemed necessary.
Article 5 is the cornerstone of the North Atlantic Treaty, NATO’s founding treaty. When the treaty was created in 1949, its key aim was to counter the Soviet Union if it sought to extend its control of Eastern Europe.
US senators seek sanctions to sink Russia's 'shadow fleet'
01:45 , Harriette BoucherRepublican and Democratic senators are seeking a bill which would target Russia’s “shadow fleet”.
The "Sanctioning Harbors and Dodgers of Western Sanctions," or SHADOW Fleets Act, would provide a list of indicators the US could use to identify vessels supporting the fleet, making it easier to sanction them sooner.
It would also put in place strict sanctions liability for any ship that engages in a transfer with a sanctioned Russian vessel.
US Senator Jim Risch said: “Putin will use every trick in the book to evade U.S. sanctions, and the U.S. is cracking down on this illicit shadow fleet of ships that he uses to fund his war.
“These ships and the oil sales they facilitate directly threaten American and European security, and will be stopped.”
Ukraine causes heavy losses on Russia in a frontline counteroffensive
Saturday 20 September 2025 00:30 , Harriette BoucherZelensky said Ukrainian forces caused heavy losses to Russia in a frontline counteroffensive in two of its towns today.
Zelensky said forces had disrupted Russia’s plans to seize the logistics centre in the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk.
He said: "It was there that one of the most important directions of the Russian offensive was located, and they were unable to launch a full-fledged offensive there. Our military is destroying its forces.
"The Russians have suffered significant losses, and the 'exchange fund' for our country has been significantly replenished - every day more Russian prisoners are being taken."
Ukraine’s top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said forces had pressed on from three to seven kilometres through enemy defences and cleared nine settlements of Russian forces.
China's Xi wants to help end Russia-Ukraine war, says Trump
Friday 19 September 2025 23:30 , Harriette BoucherDonald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping wants to wants to help end the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
He said he they pair spoke on the phone for almost two hours today and their discussion included the war in Ukraine.
“I believe that he really would like to see it done also. And I think he's going to work with us to help,” Sky News reported.
Trump says Russian incursion 'could be big trouble'
Friday 19 September 2025 22:22 , Harriette Boucher
US President Donald Trump has now spoken out about the incursion, saying he would soon be briefed on Russia’s airspace violation in Estonia.
"I don't love it. I don't like when that happens. Could be big trouble,” he said.
“I’m going to have to look at it. They’re going to be briefing me in a short while so I’ll let you know about it tonight or tomorrow.”
During his state visit to the UK on Thursday, Trump said Putin "has really let me down" in peace efforts.
Estonia gives protest note to Russian chargé d’affaires
Friday 19 September 2025 22:00 , Harriette BoucherThe Estonian foreign ministry summoned the Russian chargé d’affaires, a diplomat who temporarily serves as an ambassador, to give them a note protesting Russia’s incursion.
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said: “Russia’s increasingly extensive testing of boundaries and growing aggressiveness must be met with a swift increase in political and economic pressure.”
Pictures: A Russian MIG-31 fighter jet flying above the Baltic sea
Friday 19 September 2025 21:35 , Harriette Boucher
Russia driving a "systematic" campaign, says Zelensky
Friday 19 September 2025 21:08 , Harriette BoucherVolodymyr Zelensky has called the incursion in Estonia’s airspace “outrageous” and warned that Moscow’s destabilising measures were expanding into new directions.
“They use every tool: from interference in political processes, as in Romania and Moldova, to violations of airspace, as in Poland, Romania, and now Estonia.”
He emphasised that Moscow’s actions were not accidental but rather a “systematic Russian campaign” against NATO.
“Strong action must be taken—both collectively and individually by each nation.
“Russia must feel increasing pain from the world’s pressure, first and foremost through its economy, and that is best ensured by sanctions.”
NATO to meet in Estonia to discuss Russia's airspace violations
Friday 19 September 2025 20:29 , Harriette BoucherNATO is set to assemble in Estonia next week to discuss Russia’s incursion into its airspace.
Allison Hart, the organisation’s spokesperson, said that the North Atlantic Council would convene early next week.
Estonia requested consultations under Article 4 of the Washington Treaty.
The article states that parties will consult together when “the territorial integrity, political independence or security” of any party is at risk.
It was last triggered by Poland on 10 September after Russia’s incursion into its airspace.
Earlier today, Mrs Hart condemned the airspace violence. “This is yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour and NATO’s ability to respond,” she said.
NATO has lost none of its relevance, says German foreign minister
Friday 19 September 2025 20:00 , Harriette BoucherGermany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the principle of NATO has lost none of its relevance.
“Russia's unacceptable violation of Estonian airspace today demonstrates this clearly,” he said.
Mr Wadephul said he had assured Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna that Germany stood in full solidarity.
NATO'S borders are being intentionally tested, says Lithuania's defence minister
Friday 19 September 2025 19:30 , Harriette BoucherLithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė said NATO’s borders were being tested for a reason.
In a post on X, she said: “Three russian fighter jets over Tallinn is one more hard proof that #EasternSentry is long due.
“PS. Türkiye set an example 10 years ago.Some food for thought.”
In 2015, a Russian aircraft was shot down by the Turkish air force after it was claimed to have violated its airspace.
NATO's response to airspace violation 'quick and decisive' says Mark Rutte
Friday 19 September 2025 19:15 , Harriette BoucherNato’s secretary general Mark Rutte said he has just spoken to Estonia’s Prime Minister Kristen Michal.
“NATO’s response under Eastern Sentry was quick and decisive,” he said.
Estonia to seek NATO Article 4 consultations, says PM
Friday 19 September 2025 18:52 , Harriette BoucherEstonia is requesting NATO Article 4 consultations, Prime Minister Kristen Michal announced.
The article states that parties will consult together when “the territorial integrity, political independence or security” of any party is at risk.
It was triggered by Poland last week after Russia’s incursion into its airspace.
Pictured: Lithuania's foreign minister gifts map to Ukrainian counterpart in Kyiv
Friday 19 September 2025 18:30 , Daniel Keane
Two Russian jets violated drilling platform in safety zone, Poland says
Friday 19 September 2025 18:16 , Harriette BoucherTwo Russian fighter jets violated the safety zone of the Petrobaltic drilling platform in the Baltic sea, according to Polish Border Guards.
Officials said that the Polish Armed Forces and other services had been notified.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister says NATO must step up policing in airspace above Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania
Friday 19 September 2025 18:02 , Harriette BoucherLithuania's Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said NATO must transform Baltic air policing into Baltic air defence.
NATO’s Baltic air policing mission aims to protect the airspace above Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
“These are not accidents. The Alliance is being tested militarily. We must sharpen NATO’s posture to the point where no one dares to test our deterrence,” said Mr Budrys.
“These provocations will only escalate until the Alliance fully transforms Baltic air policing into Baltic air defence, rotational air defense models become a reality and Estern Sentry comes up and running 24/7.”
European Union to address a response to Russia in October
Friday 19 September 2025 17:45 , Harriette BoucheEuropean Council president Antonio Costa said EU leaders would address its collective response to Russia’s incursion on 1 October.
Russia showing 'contempt for diplomacy and international law', EU chief says
Friday 19 September 2025 17:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneEU chief Ursula von der Leyen has accused Russia of showing “contempt for diplomacy and international law” as she laid out the bloc’s 19th set of proposed sanctions on the country.
Russia is showing the full extent of its contempt for diplomacy and international law.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) September 19, 2025
So we're increasing the pressure.
With our 19th package of sanctions covering energy, financial services and trade restrictions ↓ https://t.co/uW7HuZp3br
Italian fighter jets responded to Estonia incursion
Friday 19 September 2025 16:43 , Daniel KeaneItalian Air Force F-35 fighter jets, currently deployed as part of the Nato Baltic Air Policing Mission, responded to Russia’s violation of Estonian airspace, according to the statement.
The Russian MIG-31 fighters entered Estonian airspace in the area of Vaindloo Island, which is a small island located in the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea, the Estonian military said in a separate statement.
Russian forces take control of two eastern Ukrainian villages, authorities say
Friday 19 September 2025 16:30 , Nicole Wootton-CaneRussian authorities have announced their forces have taken control of two eastern Ukrainian villages on Friday.
The country’s news agenct TASS reported Moscow had taken control of Muravka, a village in the Donetsk region, and the village of Novoivanivka in the neighbouring Zaporizhzhia area.
The Independent could not independently verify the reports.
Nato intercepted the Russian aircraft that violated Estonian airspace
Friday 19 September 2025 16:29 , Daniel KeaneNato responded immediately and intercepted the Russian jets which violated Estonian airspace, a Nato spokesperson said in a statement on social media X on Friday.
"This is yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour and Nato’s ability to respond," the spokesperson said.
EU foreign policy chief condemns 'dangerous provocation'
Friday 19 September 2025 16:07 , Daniel KeaneThe violation of Nato member Estonia's airspace by three Russian military jets on Friday was an "extremely dangerous provocation", the EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.
"This marks the third such violation of EU airspace in days and further escalates tensions in the region," Kallas said in a post on X.
"We will continue to support our member states in strengthening their defences with European resources. Putin is testing the West's resolve. We must not show weakness."
Estonia summons Russian diplomat after fighter jets violate airspace
Friday 19 September 2025 15:37 , Daniel KeaneEstonia summoned a Russian diplomat to protest after three Russian fighter aircraft entered its airspace without permission on Friday and stayed there for 12 minutes, the Foreign Ministry said.
Foreign Minister Margus Tsakhna said that Russia had already violated Estonian airspace four times this year "but today's incursion, involving three fighter aircraft entering our airspace, is unprecedentedly brazen."
His ministry said that the incursion took place over the Gulf of Finland and three Russian MIG-31 fighters were involved.
The Russian charge d'affaires was summoned and given a protest note, a ministry statement said.
