Latest incidents in Estonia signal growing risk of escalation -- Lithuanian PM

VILNIUS – Estonia's failed attempt to intercept a tanker believed to be part of Russia's so-called shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea and a suspected violation of Estonian airspace by a Russian fighter jet point to a rising risk of conflict, Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas said on Thursday.

"The number of such incidents in the Baltic Sea and the likelihood of escalation are increasing," Paluckas told reporters.

The prime minister noted that when Estonian authorities tried to stop a tanker "that was clearly not flying its true flag and whose captain spoke fluent Russian," a Russian fighter jet appeared within a minute.

"It likely entered Estonian airspace but gave a clear signal that such tankers in the Baltic Sea are being protected by Russian military forces," he added.

Paluckas said that while the incident "doesn't reveal anything we couldn't or shouldn't have known," it confirms that "the risk of serious escalation is increasing with every step."

"That's why even services authorized to take certain actions must always consider the possible consequences. Russia is flexing its muscles and making it clear it's ready to defend its oil routes by these means," the prime minister said. 

"We need to act cautiously and rationally to prevent escalation from turning into a direct armed confrontation," he added.

Estonia said that its Navy on Tuesday attempted to intercept a UK-sanctioned tanker bound for Russia.

However, Estonian officials were unable to board the vessel as the crew refused to cooperate.

The ship, Jaguar, is one of about 100 vessels in Russia's so-called shadow fleet -- a term used by Western countries for ships Moscow is accused of using to dodge international sanctions over its war in Ukraine.

Separately, Estonia announced that on Tuesday, a Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jet entered Estonian airspace without authorization near the Juminda peninsula on the country's northern coast, remaining in Estonian airspace for less than a minute.