Spanish NATO jets were scrambled after two Russian aircraft reportedly violated Lithuanian airspace, escalating tensions amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Russia may be using the wreck of a Baltic Sea ferry that sank in 1994 for espionage and military exercises, a new report says.

Russia is amassing nuclear weapons and attack submarines in the Arctic Circle as it prepares for war with Nato, Norway’s defence minister has warned.

A Su-30 fighter jet and an Il-78 refueling plane flew approximately 700 meters into Lithuanian airspace, remaining there for about 18 seconds, according to the Baltic country's military.

Russia believes some NATO members, in particular Poland, want to abandon restrictions on the deployment of nuclear weapons in their countries, which would aggravate “strategic risks” and tensions, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

NATO member Lithuania said two Russian military aircraft entered its airspace on Thursday for about 18 seconds, prompting a formal protest and a reaction from NATO forces, while Russia denied the incident.

The encroachment comes after several alleged Russian airspace violations in Estonia, Poland, Romania and Denmark

A former senior Nato commander and naval expert has told Westminster politicians that a united Ireland would pose a strategic threat. The loss of the protection afforded by the North would deepen the threat to Britain from Russia and China, Rear Admiral Chris Parry told MPs and members of the House of Lords in a briefing on Wednesday.

The missile, named the Mark 1, was developed last year to shoot down enemy drones at short range and is awaiting its debut on the global weapons market. Mr. Salm, chief executive of its manufacturer, Frankenburg Technologies, hopes it will fill a gap in Europe’s air defenses against Russia. “Clearly, we are unprepared,” he said.

European leaders vowed to work in coordination to ratchet up the pressure on Russia as the so-called “coalition of the willing” met in London to discuss strategies to end the war in Ukraine.

Russia appears to have been deterred by NATO's firm response last month to incursions into Polish and Estonian airspace, but Moscow is expected to continue testing boundaries, the U.S. general serving as NATO's top commander said on Tuesday.