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British jets are ready to 'confront' Russian planes violating NATO airspace, the Foreign Secretary told the UN on Monday as she accused Moscow of risking 'direct armed confrontation'.
Yvette Cooper condemned recent Russian incursions into NATO airspace as she addressed the UN Security Council for the first time as Foreign Secretary.
'They are a deliberate attempt to undermine the territorial integrity of sovereign nations and European security,' she said. 'They risk miscalculation. They open the door to direct armed confrontation between NATO and Russia.'
On Friday, three Russian jets entered Estonian airspace without permission, remaining there for 12 minutes and being intercepted by Italian aircraft operating as part of NATO's Eastern Sentry mission.
The incursion followed similar incidents in Poland and Romania in which Russian drones were intercepted or shot down over NATO territory.
Ms Cooper's comments came after Poland's prime minister said his nation would not hesitate to shoot down objects that violate its airspace and pose a threat.
Donald Tusk had warned previously that his country was the closest to 'open conflict' it had been since the Second World War, while the EU's high representative on foreign affairs warned Russia was 'testing the West's resolve'.
In response to the drone incursion over Poland, the UK announced that RAF Typhoon jets would also take part in Eastern Sentry, a joint operation to bolster NATO's defences in the east. The first mission over Poland went ahead on Friday.
Speaking at the UN on Monday, Ms Cooper said: 'Our alliance is defensive, but be under no illusion, we stand ready to take all steps necessary to defend NATO's skies and NATO's territory.
'We are vigilant. We are resolute. And if we need to confront planes that are operating in Nato airspace without permission, then we will do so.'
The comments to the UN came after Estonia claimed that three Russian fighter jets had violated its airspace on Friday, a perceived escalation from the drones landing in Poland and Romania in recent weeks.
Russia said on Monday the claim its jets violated Estonian airspace was false and designed to stir up tension. It also said it had not deliberately targeted objects in Polish territory after Warsaw observed 19-23 drones entering its airspace on September 9.
Poland's Tusk told a news conference on Monday that his country would begin shooting down flying objects entering their territory, despite warnings from Putin's allies.
'We will take the decision to shoot down flying objects when they violate our territory and fly over Poland - there is absolutely no discussion about that,' Tusk said.
'When we're dealing with situations that aren't entirely clear, such as the recent flight of Russian fighter jets over the Petrobaltic platform - but without any violation, because these aren't our territorial waters - you really need to think twice before deciding on actions that could trigger a very acute phase of conflict,' he added.
Poland said on Friday two Russian fighter jets violated the safety zone of the Petrobaltic drilling platform in the Baltic Sea.
Tusk added that Poland will take a more cautious approach to situations that are less clear-cut. He said that he would also need to be certain that Poland would not be alone if a conflict started to escalate.
'I also need to be absolutely certain... that all allies will treat this in exactly the same way as we do,' he said.
Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council and former president of Russia, said last week that any attempts to introduce a no-fly zone over Ukraine and the ability for NATO countries to shoot down Russian UAVs, would 'mean only one thing - a war between NATO and Russia'.
NATO members have warned Russia could be trying to test their readiness for a larger conflict. The incursions coincided with Russia's joint Zapad drills with Belarus, which in 2021 saw a massive build-up troops ultimately used to support the invasion of Ukraine just months later.
Czech president Petr Pavel warned on Saturday that NATO must be ready to respond firmly to Russian airspace violations, even if that means shooting down their planes.
Mr Pavel said the organisation should act decisively to stop any breach of allied skies and make clear there are consequences for crossing the line.
He said: 'Russia will realise very quickly that they have made a mistake and crossed the acceptable boundaries. Unfortunately, this is teetering on the edge of conflict, but giving in to evil is simply not an option.'
It comes as the UN's Security Council will meet on Monday for emergency talks after Vladimir Putin's fighter jets flew into NATO-member Estonia's airspace, raising fears of World War Three.
Estonia announced on Sunday that the emergency session had been called 'in response to Russia's brazen violation of Estonian airspace.'
Officials in Tallinn said it is the first time in 34 years of UN membership that the country, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, has formally requested such a meeting.
Set to begin at 15:00 BST, it will discuss what Estonia calls the 'blatant, reckless, and flagrant violation of NATO airspace'.
The incursion took place on Friday when three Russian MiG-31 fighters entered Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland.
NATO confirmed that Italian F-35 jets on air defence duty in the Baltics were scrambled, supported by Swedish and Finnish aircraft, to intercept the Russians and warn them off. Moscow denied the allegation.
The incident sparked immediate concern in NATO capitals and Brussels, with both the alliance and the European Union calling it a reckless act of provocation.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal condemned the move and said: 'Such a violation is completely unacceptable. NATO's response to any provocation must be united and strong.
'We consider it essential to consult with our allies to ensure shared situational awareness and to agree on our next joint steps.'
Ukraine has also requested to attend the meeting on Monday. The country's foreign minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X: 'For the first time in 34 years, Estonia has requested an emergency UNSC meeting.
'This shows the unprecedented scale of threats posed by aggressive Russia to the stability of Europe.
Western powers have repeatedly warned that Moscow is playing with fire by pushing into NATO skies, since the alliance's mutual defence pact obliges all members to act if one is attacked.
The violation came just weeks after fellow NATO member Poland said Russian drones had crossed into its airspace during missile strikes on Ukraine.
Warsaw branded that episode an 'act of aggression' with experts warning that it could have triggered a direct clash between NATO and Russia. The drones struck an elderly couple's home and demolished its roof.
If the couple had died, it could have potentially spiralled into World War Three.
US President Donald Trump added his voice to the outcry on Sunday. Asked whether America would back Poland and the Baltic states if the crisis worsens, he replied: 'Yeah, I would. I would.'
He confirmed he had been briefed on the Estonian incursion and added bluntly: 'We don't like it.'
His words were far tougher than his reaction earlier this month to the Polish drone incident, when he had played down the risk by suggesting it 'could have been a mistake.'
Trump's stance on Vladimir Putin has long been scrutinised, with critics accusing him of being too close to the Russian leader.
But as the war in Ukraine drags into its fourth year, his tone has hardened.
Speaking in Britain last Thursday at the close of his state visit, Trump admitted Putin had 'really let me down' by refusing to end the bloodshed despite American pushes for peace.
Estonia's foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna, said Russia's actions are part of a deliberate pattern.
He said: 'This violation is part of a broader pattern of escalation by Russia, both regionally and globally. This behaviour requires an international response.'
Tsahkna said that Russia had already entered Estonian airspace four times this year alone.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, Swedish and German forces said Swedish JAS 39 Gripens and German Eurofighters were deployed over the South Baltic Sea to observe a Russian IL-20 reconnaissance aircraft flying in international airspace without a flight plan.
German authorities also said the aircraft refused to make contact.
After the violation, a former RAF commander asked NATO to be specific about the 'red line' when it comes to airspace incursions.
Air Marshal Greg Bagwell wrote on social media: 'NATO has to be united now, with a clear and unequivocal statement about what will not be tolerated.
'Right now we don't know where our red lines are, why should we expect Russia to? And if that red line is crossed then the response must be decisive and ruthless.'
The UK's defence secretary also issued a chilling warning to Russia.
He said: 'Our Typhoons are fully equipped to take out Russian drones that enter Nato airspace. And we will not hesitate to act...'