This is stated in a message from the X Command of NATO Allied Joint Forces in Central and Eastern Europe. "The numbers don’t lie! Compare July 2025 with July 2026 – and the picture becomes clear: the number of fighter scrambles on NATO's eastern flank has increased by more than 250%," the message states. It is noted that Russian military aircraft have repeatedly flown close to NATO airspace without a flight plan and transponder signal, forcing NATO fighters to take off, intercept, and identify them. "Every scramble proves that we are in a state of readiness. Every interception proves that NATO airspace is protected," NATO commanders assert. The Numbers Don't Lie !Compare July 25 with July 26 and the picture is impossible to ignore: Alpha Scrambles along @NATO's Eastern Flank increased by more than 250%.The reason? Russian military aircraft repeatedly flew close to NATO airspace without a flight plan and… pic.twitter.com/YEPlddV8ST— NATO Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum - JFCBS (@NATOJFCBS) August 5, 2026