Nato is weighing up whether to launch pre-emptive strikes against Russia following a series of hybrid attacks across Europe, a top military official has warned.
Four Russian fighter jets were spotted near the border with Poland. The jets flew towards Russia's western border, with both Poland and Germany placing their air defence systems on high alert.
Despite responses from both air forces, the Russian jets are said to have returned. A German Air Force spokesman told Bild: "There was activity in Russian airspace on Friday, and the air defense forces deployed in Poland responded. This included the two Patriot systems of the Air Force."
Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, who chairs the alliance's Military Committee, has revealed that Nato is now exploring a shift towards more aggressive tactics to counter Moscow's campaign of disruption.
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The Italian admiral told the Financial Times that the alliance was "studying everything" as it considers how to respond to Russia's activities.
"Being more aggressive or being proactive instead of reactive is something that we are thinking about," he said.
The hybrid warfare campaign has included vessels in the Baltic Sea allegedly dragging anchors to damage energy and communication cables, with eleven such incidents documented according to a Financial Times investigation.
Regular cyberattacks have targeted multiple European nations, while Russian drones have repeatedly entered Nato airspace, with Admiral Dragone adding they are "kind of reactive" to such attacks.
Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, who chairs the alliance's Military Committee, has revealed that Nato is exploring a shift towards more aggressive tactics to counter Moscow's campaign of disruption
|GETTY
Nato launched Operation Baltic Sentry in January to enhance patrols in the Baltic region using aircraft, warships and drones.
The operation aimed to monitor Russia's "shadow fleet" - vessels with unclear ownership used to transport sanctioned oil.
Admiral Dragone acknowledged a "pre-emptive strike" by the alliance could be viewed as a "defensive action", and would mark an unusual shift for Nato, however he admitted this was "further away from our normal way of thinking and behaviour".
"Being more aggressive compared with the aggressivity of our counterpart could be an option," he said.
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Russian military strikes have increased in recent days and destroyed much of frontline town Kostiantynivka in Donetsk region, Ukraine
|REUTERS
The admiral pointed to Operation Baltic Sentry's success, noting that "nothing has happened" since its launch, suggesting the deterrence was working.
Moscow has condemned Admiral Dragone's comments as "extremely irresponsible", with Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accusing Nato of attempting to escalate tensions.
"We see in it a deliberate attempt to undermine efforts to overcome the Ukrainian crisis," Zakharova stated on Monday.
She warned that those making such statements "should be aware of the risks and possible consequences, including for the alliance members themselves".
The Russian response accused Nato of "moving towards an escalation" and characterised the admiral's remarks as a "deliberate attempt" to sabotage peace talks.
Meanwhile, Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat, said that this week could be “a pivotal week for diplomacy”.
Ms Kallas did warn, however, that the Russia-US talks tomorrow risked piling "all the pressure" on Ukraine, which she said was in "nobody’s interest".
The sharp exchange comes as diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict continue, with various international meetings taking place this week.
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