On 3 January 2023, four larger ships of the Police and Border Guard Board were transferred to the Estonian Navy as part of the liquidation of the police fleet.[5] This improved responsiveness in the Estonian maritime area and provided Estonia with a better defense capability.[6]
After this message, Indian and Russian crew members could be heard on the bridge stating: "We are being met by a helicopter, they are demanding that we drop anchor.".Following this, a Russian Air ForceSu-35 scrambled to provide the ship with an escort. As a result of the arrival of the Russian aircraft, plans to board the ship were abandoned.[9]
In an interview with Estonian media, the Chief of the Estonian Defense ForcesGen. Vahur Karus acknowledged the event, but acknowledged the professionalism of the Russian aircraft.
Afterwards, Estonian sources acknowledged that a Russian Air ForceSukhoi Su-35 fighter jet had entered Estonian airspace for a period of two minutes and flown towards the ship in response. As a result, a Portuguese Air Force F-16 was scrambled from Ämari Air Base to conduct reconnaissance on the Russian aircraft. Jaguar continued its transit through the Baltic Sea via Gogland, before arriving at Primorsk on the morning of 15 May 2025.[10] The failed interception of the ship raised shortcomings with the operational capability of the Estonian Navy, with Jüri Saska stating that the services measures were constrained due to operating in international waters, as well as attempting a boarding action of a large vessel, for which Raju was not suitably equipped for.[11]
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Estonia
Estonia
