Russia tests NATO defences as fighter jet scrambles surge amid WW3 fears

NATO fighter jets were scrambled over 250% more in July 2026 compared to the same period in 2025 as Russian military aircraft flew close to alliance airspace.

NATO fighter jet scrambles increase 250% as Russia tests border with military planes, Alliance says  The Kyiv Independent

After Ukraine failed to shoot down a single ballistic missile fired by Russia on Wednesday, the president urged allies to increase supplies of Patriot interceptors Nato is working to get Ukraine the air defences it “urgently needs”, its secretary general has said, after Kyiv failed to shoot down a single Russian missil

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued an urgent call for air defense missiles to defend the country against Russia. The plea followed a deadly Russian attack on Ukraine's capital.