NATO chief warns Russia's drone attacks are escalating but failing
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said recent drone incursions over Romania and the Baltic region show a growing Russian threat that is ultimately unsuccessful.
During a briefing, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described a pattern of Russian drone activity over NATO territory, citing a Lithuanian airspace incident where a NATO fighter shot down a drone two weeks earlier. He linked the latest radar detection near Romania, which prompted fighter patrols but no confirmed breach, to a broader shift in the nature of the threat. Rutte said NATO is adapting its air and missile defence posture to counter these moves.
He added that Russia faces a dire economy and suffers substantial monthly casualties in Ukraine, undermining its capacity to sustain a prolonged campaign. According to Rutte, Moscow's hybrid warfare aims to erode NATO unity and support for Ukraine, but it is not succeeding on the battlefield or in diplomatic terms.
Why it matters
The remarks signal NATO's heightened vigilance and defensive upgrades amid ongoing Russian aggression in Europe.
How this story developed
- Sep 24 CIA alerts Spain, France and Italy to possible Russian drone strikes from merchant ships
- Sep 24 The briefing added that the drones may be catapulted from merchant ships 200‑300 km offshore.
- Sep 24 NATO boosted intelligence sharing and warned Spain, France and Italy of possible long‑range drone attacks launched from merchant vessels.
- Sep 25 Estonia's foreign minister Margus Tsahkna claimed Russia ordered the August arson at Milrem Robotics in Tallinn, a charge the Kremlin dismissed as baseless.
- Sep 28 Poland reported a fire at a Starlink ground station that officials suspect was intentional.
- Sep 29 The Russian government publicly denied the sabotage allegation.
In this story
Related stories
14 in this thread