Intrusions into NATO’s airspace blamed on Russia have reached an unprecedented scale, raising questions about whether the Kremlin is trying to test the alliance’s willingness to respond to a direct attack or divert its attention and resources from the war in Ukraine.

Sergei Lavrov has been highly critical of Western countries and Israel in his speech at the UN General Assembly.

A meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York was "constructive," a top official in Moscow said, even though the Kremlin has described NATO as at war with Russia over Ukraine. The two met on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.

Two NATO officials, who asked for anonymity to discuss sensitive operational matters, told NBC News U.S. fighter jets were taking off for assignments somewhere in Eastern Europe.

At least 11 critical undersea cables have been cut in the Baltic Sea in the past two years. Authorities suspect Russian hybrid warfare aimed at undersea infrastructure.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Thursday, per a Public Telegram Board, that NATO and the European Union are waging war against Russia “using Ukraine as a proxy” and are “directly participating” in the conflict.

Estonia and its allies launched a blistering criticism of Russia for flying fighter jets through its airspace last week, calling Moscow out at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Monday and accusing it of “reckless” and “outrageous” behavior.

This is the latest unexplained drone activity after several sightings, including over five Danish airports last week, raising concerns in northern Europe