Explainer

How Russian Incursions Put Europe In a Bind

A Russian MiG-31 fighter jet over the Baltic Sea, in a photo released on Sept. 19.Source: Swedish Air Force

Since Russian aircraft violated the airspace of three NATO member countries in rapid succession, the military alliance has been deliberating how to react.

Poland’s air force shot down Russian drones that crossed into the country on Sept. 9. A Russian drone flew over Romanian territory on Sept. 13. And on Sept. 19, MiG-31 fighter planes were escorted out of Estonia after an incursion that lasted 12 minutes.