Russia is facing allegations of launching a cyber assault on a Spanish Air Force aircraft carrying the country’s defense minister. The incident occurred this morning while the plane was en route to Lithuania and flying over the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad with Margarita Robles on board. Robles was scheduled to meet with Lithuanian defense minister Dovile Sakaliene, as per the Spanish government’s official schedule.
This development follows a recent warning from NATO to Russia about defending against any further airspace violations, particularly in the wake of the recent shooting down of Russian drones over Poland and Estonia. NATO emphasized its readiness to utilize all lawful military and non-military measures to protect itself and deter threats from all directions. The organization reiterated its commitment to Article 5 of its founding treaty, which considers an attack on any member as an attack on all.
The UK’s Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, cautioned that Moscow’s actions could lead to a direct armed conflict with the Western military alliance. Cooper affirmed the vigilance and determination of NATO in dealing with unauthorized aircraft operating in its airspace. Typhoon jets from the Royal Air Force have been actively participating in NATO’s Eastern Sentry mission, with their first mission over Poland conducted on September 19.
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