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.

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.

Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics urged NATO on Saturday to increase its protection of the Baltic States, citing Russian violations of the alliance's airspace, and adding to a similar call from Lithuania.

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.

BRUSSELS -- NATO warned Russia on Tuesday that it would use all means to defend against any further breaches of its airspace after the downing earlier this month of Russian drones over Poland and Estonia's report of an intrusion by Russian fighter jets last week.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has claimed that NATO and the European Union have declared a "real war" on Russia "through Ukraine" and are directly taking part in it. Source: Lavrov at a meeting of G20 foreign ministers,

Denmark's Defense Ministry has reported again observing drones at several military locations overnight as NATO is on high alert over recent Russian military actions in Europe.

The alliance's disjointed approach leaves Europe vulnerable, experts warn, as Moscow exploits uneven defences with relentless cyberattacks.