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Russian Jet Flights Comply With International Law - Estonian Air Force

Sputnik News

16:10 23.03.2015(updated 16:22 23.03.2015)

Russian military planes pose no threat to Estonia and do not breach international norms, the Estonian Air Force said.

TALLINN (Sputnik) – Unlike Baltic neighbors Latvia and Lithuania, Estonia does not notify citizens of Russian warplanes flying close to its borders since it's not a breach of international norms, the Estonian Air Force press service said Monday.

As stated repeatedly by Russian security officials, all routine flights conducted by Russian military aircraft are held in compliance with international regulations on the use of airspace over neutral waters and do not violate sovereign borders or foreign airspace.

'Strictly speaking, it is not a violation of the law. There is no international law strictly requiring military aircraft to comply with these rules. Rather, the military aircraft's compliance with the rules of civility can be classified as acts of good intentions,' Alar Laats, spokesman for the Estonian Air Force, told the local news portal Delfi.

In the event of 'rude' behavior, NATO Baltic air-policing mission jets are scrambled in the air to identify the aircraft type, flight plans and inquire whether it needs assistance.

'Estonian Defense Forces do not notify of such cases. Certainly, in cases of air border violations, the general public is notified. If Russian planes, however, do not follow the rules of courtesy, we do not inform of that either. Latvians and Lithuanians are doing otherwise in this regard,' Laats said.

According to the Estonian Air Force spokesman, Russian military planes flying with active transponders complicate the lives of civilian air traffic controllers but are not a threat to Estonia.

Russia's long-range aviation has been steadily increasing the number and duration of planned flights in recent years, causing NATO to voice concern over alleged violations of the airspace of member states. Meanwhile, the military alliance has been building up its presence in Eastern Europe, sending tanks and paratroopers to hold military drills along Russia's western borders.

© Sputnik