Russian Fighter Jet Violates Estonian Airspace After Navy Attempts To Stop Sanctioned Tanker

A suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker caused a major incident on May 13, 2025, when Estonian naval forces tried to inspect it near Primorsk.

The vessel was identified as the Jaguar, a 105,000-deadweight tonne crude oil tanker flagged in Gabon. However, the Equasis maritime database lists the same ship under a different name-Argent-registered in Guinea-Bissau, with an unknown manager and an owner based in Mauritius.

The Jaguar has been linked to India’s Gatik Ship Management, a company known to operate vessels in Russia’s shadow fleet used to export sanctioned oil.

The vessel was sailing towards the Russian port of Primorsk when it was approached by Estonian naval forces in the Baltic Sea. According to multiple reports, the Estonian Navy made radio contact with the vessel, issuing a “request” and instructions to change its course.

The exact nature of the request remains unclear, but video footage posted online captures the Navy clearly identifying itself and ordering the ship to alter its path.

The tanker refused to comply and ignored the instructions. It is also not confirmed whether the ship provided any documents proving its identity or insurance coverage.

As tensions grew, Estonia deployed a helicopter and a Polish-built Skytruck surveillance aircraft to monitor the situation. A patrol boat marked P6732-known to be part of Estonia’s naval fleet-was also seen near the tanker.

The Estonian Navy tried to intercept the JAGUAR tanker flying the flag of Gabon in the international waters of the Gulf of Finland, on the beam of Tallinn. The ship was bound for the Russian port of Primorsk. pic.twitter.com/Dqql92lx1p

— Capt(N) (@Capt_Navy) May 14, 2025

A Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jet entered Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland. The Estonian Ministry of Defence confirmed that the aircraft, which did not have its transponder activated and had not submitted a flight plan, briefly breached its airspace for less than a minute.

The fighter jet did not establish any radio contact with Estonian air traffic control. In response, NATO, which provides air surveillance for Estonia, deployed Portuguese F-16 fighter jets stationed at Estonia’s Ämari Air Base.

These jets circled the area where the confrontation was unfolding.

This was the first confirmed Russian airspace violation over Estonia in 2025. Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna condemned the incident, calling it “very serious and regrettable” and “completely unacceptable.”

The Estonian Foreign Ministry summoned the charge d’affaires of the Russian Embassy in Tallinn and delivered a formal protest note over the airspace breach.

Although the Estonian Defence Minister acknowledged that there were unresolved questions regarding the tanker’s flag status and legitimacy, it was ultimately decided that direct intervention was not justified given the rising tensions.

Per reports, the Estonian Navy escorted the vessel out of its domestic waters without boarding it. Vessel tracking data shows that the Argent (also known as Jaguar) later anchored near the Russian-controlled island of Gogland on May 14 before continuing its eastward voyage toward Primorsk.

In a similar incident in April, authorities briefly detained another tanker, named the Kiwala, which they claimed was operating without a valid flag. The Kiwala was later released after Djibouti agreed to issue it temporary registration.

Reference: themoscowtimes