Norway has confirmed that Russian military aircraft violated its airspace on three separate occasions in 2025, joining NATO allies in condemning what the alliance described as a pattern of “irresponsible and unacceptable” behavior over allied territory.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre stated that the incidents in April, July, and August 2025 marked the end of a decade-long period without any Russian incursions into Norwegian airspace.
“These incidents occur in an already serious security situation,” Støre said, stressing that NATO was united in its condemnation of Russia’s actions in Estonia, Poland, Romania, and elsewhere.
Three airspace violations in 2025
According to the Norwegian government, the first violation occurred on April 25, 2025, when a Russian Su-24 fighter jet entered Norwegian airspace northeast of Vardø for a period of four minutes.
On July 24, 2025, a Russian L-410 Turbolet crossed into Norwegian territory for three minutes over an uninhabited area along the land border in eastern Finnmark.
The third incident occurred on August 18, 2025, when a Russian Su-33 fighter briefly entered Norwegian airspace northeast of Vardø for one minute.
“The incidents in Norway are less grave in terms of location and duration than those that took place in Estonia, Poland, and Romania. However, they are still serious incidents,” Støre said, adding that Norwegian authorities had raised the issue directly with Moscow.
Norway’s foreign ministry demands explanations
Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said Norway has requested explanations from Russia.
“Even if these incidents were due to navigational error, […] Russia has a responsibility to act in a way that prevents misunderstandings and mistakes,” Eide said. “If Russia has intentionally violated the airspace of multiple countries, then this is a very serious situation indeed.”
Norway has shared radar and flight data with NATO allies and briefed the Storting, its national parliament. Officials noted that while navigational error could not be ruled out, Russia’s flight practices leave little margin for error.
The three Norwegian incidents mark the country’s first confirmed airspace violations since 2015, underscoring what NATO sees as a broader pattern of Russian provocations across northern and eastern Europe.
NATO’s wider warning
The revelations come as NATO assesses a spate of violations across its eastern flank. On September 19, 2025, Estonia reported that three Russian MiG-31 fighters penetrated its airspace for 12 minutes in what Tallinn called a “brazen” violation.
Similar incidents have been reported in Poland and Romania, while Finland, Latvia, and Lithuania have raised their own concerns.
After a meeting of the North Atlantic Council on September 23, 2025, NATO warned Russia that its actions “risk escalation and put lives in danger.” Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance was prepared to use force “based on available intelligence regarding the threat posed.”
Sweden and Poland have both issued blunt warnings in which they have said they are ready to shoot down the next Russian aircraft that violates NATO airspace.
