NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Russia's continued sabotage and drone incidents are failing to weaken alliance support for Ukraine, while NATO reinforces its posture against drones along its eastern flank.
Key facts
- NATO chief Mark Rutte says Russian sabotage and drone incidents are 'failing to undermine' support for Ukraine.
- Rutte warned Russia 'continues its reckless campaign of hostile actions against Nato allies'.
- He recalled a drone shot down in Lithuanian airspace by NATO fighter jets two weeks earlier.
- NATO says it is strengthening integrated air and missile defence and adapting its posture against drones.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has said that Russia’s campaign of sabotage and drone incidents is failing to undermine the alliance’s support for Ukraine, according to the Guardian’s Europe live coverage.
Rutte warned that Russia “continues its reckless campaign of hostile actions against Nato allies,” framing recent incidents as part of an ongoing and evolving threat facing the alliance.
He began his remarks by recalling a drone that was shot down in Lithuanian airspace by NATO fighter jets two weeks earlier, pointing to it as an example of the challenges confronting the alliance’s eastern members.
“The repeated drone incidents along our eastern flank showed the evolving nature of the threat, and we are strengthening our integrated air and missile defence,” Rutte said.
He added that the alliance is “adapting and reinforcing our posture against drones,” signalling that NATO is adjusting its defensive measures in response to the incidents along its eastern flank.
The comments were reported as part of the Guardian’s live coverage of developments in the Russia-Ukraine war and related events across Europe.
Why it matters
Repeated drone incidents and alleged sabotage along NATO's eastern flank have raised concerns about the security of alliance members bordering Russia and Ukraine. Rutte's remarks signal that NATO intends to maintain its backing for Ukraine while adapting its own defences to the changing nature of the threat.
Frequently asked questions
What did Mark Rutte say about Russian sabotage and drone incidents?
Rutte said Russia's sabotage and drone incidents are 'failing to undermine' NATO support for Ukraine, and warned that Russia 'continues its reckless campaign of hostile actions against Nato allies'.
What incident did Rutte reference in Lithuania?
Rutte recalled a drone that was shot down in Lithuanian airspace by NATO fighter jets two weeks before his remarks.
How is NATO responding to the drone incidents?
According to Rutte, NATO is strengthening its integrated air and missile defence and adapting and reinforcing its posture against drones along its eastern flank.