Russia is upping flights of its nuclear-capable bombers and fighter jets close to NATO’s northern edge, officials say, amid concerns in Moscow over how effective Ukraine’s long-range drone campaign has been on targets deep inside Russia and increasing NATO attention on the strategic Arctic region. Between January 1 and July 3, 2026, NATO fighter jets were scrambled 62 times in response to Russian flights on NATO’s northeastern flank, a spokesperson for the Norwegian military told Newsweek.