With tensions already high because of the war in Ukraine, the incursion came just more than a week after more than 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace on the night of 9 and 10 September.

“Russia has violated Estonian airspace four times already this year, which is unacceptable in itself, but today’s violation, during which three fighter jets entered our airspace, is unprecedentedly brazen,” foreign minister Margus Tsahkna said.

Estonia’s foreign minister Margus Tsahkna said the incursion was “unprecedentedly brazen”. Source: AP / Virginia Mayo

Russian jets routinely fly over the Baltic Sea between mainland Russia and its exclave of Kaliningrad.

Russia denies wrongdoing

“The Russian aircraft did not deviate from the agreed flight path and did not violate Estonian airspace.”

Trump not briefed

Trump’s administration is being closely watched for a response after it had little to say about the drone incursion into Poland, triggering anxiety among NATO members, who have questioned Trump’s commitment to their defence in case of a Russian attack.

NATO: ‘Reckless Russian behaviour’

Europeans quickly responded to the Russian jet incident on Friday, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas — a former Estonian prime minister — saying: “This was no accident.”