Part 5/14:
The heightened Russian military activity underscores a tense environment across the Atlantic alliance. Just days before, NATO countries engaged in their own alarms—Estonia and Poland, for example, accused Russian jets and drones of breaching their airspace, prompting Article 4 consultations. Denmark has also considered invoking Article 4 amid drone incursions that have shut down airports and targeted critical infrastructure.
These incidents occur against the backdrop of a NATO under strain—stretching resources over conflicts in Ukraine and amidst ongoing tensions with Moscow. The increasing frequency of provocations renews fears of a broader escalation and signals that Russia continues to test the U.S. and its allies’ defenses.