Czech President says NATO should shoot down Russian aircraft violating airspace

Czech President Petr Pavel on Sunday said NATO should respond militarily to repeated violations of allied airspace by Russian aircraft, including by shooting them down if necessary.

His remarks came following the recent incident in which Russian MiG-31 fighter jets breached Estonia’s airspace. Pavel stressed that NATO cannot ignore such provocations.

“They [responses] should include military action. Russia will very quickly understand that it made a mistake and crossed the line. Unfortunately, this is balancing on the brink of conflict, but surrendering in the face of evil is simply impossible,” Pavel stated.

He added any violation of NATO’s airspace provides grounds for activating defence mechanisms and downing the aircraft involved.

“What has recently happened in Poland and Estonia - and what Ukraine has endured for four years - is a concern for all of us. If we fail to maintain unity, sooner or later, it will happen to us as well,” the President warned.