NATO vigilant amid spike in Russian flights

World Today

NATO is increasing its readiness and air policing following a spike in Russian air force activity in Eastern Europe, the alliance’s new chief said Thursday.

Jens Stoltenberg said that while NATO is not back on Cold War terms with its former arch-enemy, recent Russian behavior has severely undermined the trust built up over decades.

Tensions have been running high between NATO and Russia since Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in March. NATO pilots have conducted over 100 intercepts of Russian aircraft this year, about three times more than in 2013, the alliance’s military officials said Wednesday.

Story compiled from Associated Press.