NATO jets intercept Russian planes near Estonia

NATO jets were sent to intercept three Russian military aircraft near Estonian airspace on Tuesday.

Spanish and Finnish fighter jets were sent to intercept the airplanes, which were identified as two MiG-31 jets and an AN-26 transport plane, according to acting NATO spokesman Dylan White.

{mosads}The incident came less than a day after Vice President Pence delivered a speech in Estonia, in which he warned that Russian aggression in the Baltic States would not be tolerated and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to NATO’s mutual defense pledge.

“Under President Donald Trump, the United States of America rejects any attempt to use force, threats, intimidation, or malign influence in the Baltic states or against any of our treaty allies,” Pence said.

“To be clear, we hope for better days, for better relations with Russia, but recent diplomatic action taken by Moscow will not deter the commitment of the United States of America to our security, the security of our allies, and the security of freedom-loving nations around the world,” he added.

– This story was updated at 2:15 p.m.