WW3 warning as 'Putin hoping to apply lessons learned’ to future NATO conflicts

NATO fighter aircraft intercepted three Russian MiG-31 jets after they entered Estonia’s airspace without authorization. Security experts believe these repeated provocations are part of Vladimir Putin’s strategy to test NATO’s reactions and gather insights for potential future conflicts.

NATO spokesperson Allison Hart condemned the incident as “yet another example of reckless Russian behavior.” Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed the alliance responded swiftly under Operation Eastern Sentry, NATO’s mission to reinforce its eastern flank after earlier Russian drone violations in Poland and Romania.

Estonia’s Foreign Minister, Margus Tsahkna, said Moscow has already breached Estonia’s airspace four times in 2025, but described this latest incident as “unprecedentedly brazen.” He called for stronger political and economic pressure on Russia, warning that Putin’s aggressiveness is escalating.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper also expressed solidarity with Estonia, stressing the need for tougher sanctions against Moscow. She emphasized that Russia’s ongoing provocations threaten not only the Baltic states but NATO’s collective security.

Beyond airspace violations, Western officials are increasingly concerned about the safety of critical undersea infrastructure. A UK parliamentary committee recently warned that Britain is “not confident” in its ability to protect offshore communication and financial cables from potential Russian sabotage. Suspicion grew earlier this year when the Russian spy ship Yantar was spotted lingering over UK subsea cables, raising fears of possible covert operations.

The Baltic states Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania remain at the forefront of these tensions. Researchers note that Putin views their NATO and EU membership as a direct challenge to Russia’s sphere of influence.

With repeated airspace breaches and growing threats to vital infrastructure, analysts warn that Moscow is not only testing NATO’s defenses but also signaling its willingness to exploit vulnerabilities in Europe’s security framework.