New york: The United Nations regards violations of NATO airspace attributed to Russia as a threat to security in Europe, a senior official said at a special meeting in New York on Monday. 'This series of recent incidents further underscored the already high tensions that endanger European security, as the war continues to rage in Ukraine, violations of sovereign countries airspace are unacceptable,' the UN's assistant secretary-general, Miroslav Jenca, told the UN Security Council session.
According to Ghana News Agency, citing recent incursions in Estonia, Poland, and Romania involving Russian drones and fighter jets, Jenca called for an immediate de-escalation of the situation. The Russian airspace violations have unsettled NATO allies in Europe, with repeated talk of provocations by Moscow.
According to Estonia, three Russian fighter jets entered its airspace for about 12 minutes on Friday. In the face of Russia's rejection of the claim, the Estonian Defence Ministry published a map of the flight path of the three MiG-31 aircraft, about 10 kilometres deep into Estonian airspace. NATO fighter jets from Italy eventually escorted the Russian aircraft out of the airspace.
During a Russian air strike on Ukraine the week before, around 19 drones flew into Polish airspace, thereby violating NATO airspace. The Polish Air Force and other NATO allies shot down some of the unmanned vehicles for the first time. According to Polish authorities, fragments of 18 drones have been found in several areas in the east and centre of the country. None of them were so far classified as armed or dangerous. Romania also registered a Russian drone in its airspace.
The UN Security Council convened at Estonia's request, following the incident over the Baltic country. Under international law, resolutions of the UN's most powerful body are binding, and can theoretically be enforced in international courts in the event of non-compliance. The 15-member council repeatedly meets to discuss major conflicts around the world. However, in the case of the Ukraine war, the council is blocked because Russia, as a permanent member, has the power of veto.
The meeting on airspace came as global leaders convene for the General Debate of the UN General Assembly, which starts on Tuesday. A major conference on the two-state solution in the Middle East is also due to be held on Monday.