NATO chief says Russia becoming 'increasingly reckless'

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Wednesday that Russia is becoming "increasingly reckless," pointing to a rise in drones and missiles crossing allied airspace and growing malign activities targeting NATO territory.

"Russia has grown increasingly reckless as they continue their terrible war against Ukraine. We have seen more drones and missiles crossing into our airspace along our eastern flank, creating increased risk," Rutte said during a joint news conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels.

Rutte said NATO and the EU were working "around the clock" to protect their populations against growing threats.

He also cited what he described as malign activities directly targeting NATO territory, including fires allegedly set at factories producing defense equipment for Ukraine and a Russian "hybrid attack" in Leipzig, Germany.

"The dangers Russia poses are clear," Rutte said, rejecting suggestions that Moscow's actions could divide NATO allies or weaken their support for Ukraine.

Von der Leyen said Germany had identified Russia as being behind an attempt to attack cargo planes at Leipzig/Halle Airport using military-grade material.

"We will not tolerate it. We stand in full solidarity with Germany," she said.

The European Commission chief said the EU was prepared to strengthen sanctions against Russia and close loopholes being exploited by Moscow.

She added that the EU had received a new Ukrainian request worth several billion euros to support air defenses, including advanced Patriot systems, and said member states were considering the request.

Their remarks came after Germany on Tuesday blamed Russia for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig Airport last month. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said investigators had found the plot was planned by Russian intelligence services and carried out by low-level operatives.

Leipzig Airport is a major freight hub and a key logistics point for military cargo, including Ukrainian Antonov flights.

Russia has rejected claims of assassinations, sabotage, drone incursions, and spying in countries allied with Ukraine, accusing Western governments of stoking "anti-Russian paranoia."