Summary European ministers accuse Russia of escalating sabotage, cyberattacks and airspace violations while saying a direct NATO attack is not imminent.
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - European ministers have accused Russia of intensifying sabotage, cyberattacks, drone incursions and other hybrid operations across Europe in an effort to weaken support for Ukraine, while dismissing concerns of an imminent direct Russian attack on NATO.
Speaking on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, officials from NATO's eastern flank said Moscow was increasingly using covert operations to spread fear, test Western resolve and undermine European backing for Kyiv.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Europe was facing a rapid increase in sabotage attacks and airspace violations, arguing that Moscow was seeking to pressure European countries into reducing their support for Ukraine.
European governments increasingly view covert and deniable operations as an immediate security challenge rather than a conventional military assault, according to the officials.
Kallas called for greater pressure on Moscow through tougher sanctions, including measures targeting Russia's shadow fleet and military-industrial complex.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said Russia's activities had moved beyond threats, citing alleged arson, explosions, drone incursions and an alleged violation of Polish airspace.
Poland's military said a Russian Mi-8 helicopter briefly entered Polish airspace from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad on Wednesday.
Sikorski said Polish F-16 fighter jets were being scrambled frequently because of uncertainty surrounding approaching drones and missiles.
Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu told Reuters that Romania had recorded more than 100 incursions by drones or drone fragments as Russian attacks intensified near Ukrainian infrastructure around the Danube and Black Sea.
