Estonia says Russian plane violated airspace, Russia denies

TALLINN, Estonia – Estonia says a Russian military plane has violated its airspace near the island of Vaindloo in the Gulf of Finland. Russia denies the allegation.

Estonian military spokeswoman Kristel Maasikmets said Wednesday that the Antonov An-26 entered Estonia’s airspace for less than one minute on Tuesday. She said the plane’s transponders were switched on but that the flight crew failed to maintain radio contact with Estonian air navigation officials.

Russia’s Defence Ministry told Interfax the aircraft was flying from the Baltic Sea outpost of Kaliningrad to St. Petersburg “along a strictly established route” without violating Estonia’s airspace.

Estonian authorities say there have been three airspace violations this year by Russian military planes.