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. 04:05, Fri, Aug 7, 2026 Updated: 04:15, Fri, Aug 7, 2026 NATO Eurofighters scrambled to intercept two Russian military aircraft (Image: social media/east2west news)NATO fighter jets were scrambled over 250% more frequently as Russia probes the West's defences amid mounting concerns over World War Three.The sharp rise in monthly statistics for July, when set against the equivalent period in 2025, highlights Vladimir Putin's ever more belligerent military stance. Get the latest news from around the world and more Invalid emailWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy"The numbers do not lie," stated a post by NATO's Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum."Compare July 2025 with July 2026, and the picture becomes clear: scrambles on NATO's eastern flank increased by more than 250%. The reason? Russian military aircraft repeatedly flew c...