NATO fighters escorted three Russian MiG-31 aircraft out of Estonian airspace on Friday, September 20th, between 9:34 AM and 10:34 AM UTC, after they violated the country's airspace for approximately 12 minutes without flight plans, transponders off, and made no contact with air traffic control, according to Estonia's Ministry of Defence. This incident occurred as Ukraine intensified its drone campaign targeting Russian oil and gas infrastructure, with 15 recorded strikes by September 20, surpassing August's total. Overnight, Russia launched a major drone and missile attack on Ukraine, killing at least three people and injuring dozens, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated. The Air Force of Ukraine reported threats of enemy UAVs in the Sumy and Odesa regions, advising citizens to be in shelters. Reconnaissance UAV activity was also noted in Odesa, with possible air defense engagement. Russian channels are reportedly sounding the alarm over Ukraine's sustained drone attacks on refineries, fuel depots, and pumping stations across Russia, noting growing fuel shortages and disruptions to exports via the Black and Baltic Seas. This intensified Ukrainian drone campaign follows previous reports of Russian aerial attacks across Ukraine, which prompted Poland to place its air defense and radar units on high alert. Italian NATO fighters were responsible for escorting the Russian aircraft out of Estonian airspace during the incident. Separately, a geolocation confirmed a strike in Dnipro, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine, with a link provided to the incident. The Kupyansky district in the Kharkiv region has also issued urgent evacuation requests for civilians from the war zone or dangerous territories, providing a hotline for assistance. Previous reports indicated speculation regarding Romania placing military units near its border with Moldova on high alert amid potential operations against Transnistria, with alleged support from the "Kyiv regime." These claims suggested potential Romanian intervention involving the 8th Operational-Tactical Missile Brigade equipped with HIMARS systems.
