Russia has been accused of executing a cyber attack on a Spanish Air Force plane carrying Defence Minister Margarita Robles. The incident occurred this morning as the aircraft was flying over the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad en route to Lithuania. Robles was scheduled to meet with her Lithuanian counterpart, Dovile Sakaliene, according to the Spanish government's itinerary.

This incident follows a warning from NATO issued just a day prior, in which the alliance stated it would utilise all means necessary to defend against any further breaches of its airspace. This warning came in the wake of the downing of Russian drones over Poland and Estonia earlier this month.

In a statement, NATO declared: "Russia should be in no doubt: NATO and Allies will employ, in accordance with international law, all necessary military and non-military tools to defend ourselves and deter all threats from all directions. We will continue to respond in the manner, timing, and domain of our choosing." The organisation, which comprises 32 member states, reaffirmed its commitment to Article 5 of its founding treaty, which stipulates that an attack on one ally is considered an attack on all.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed concerns over Moscow’s actions, stating they "risk a direct armed confrontation" between Russia and NATO. Speaking at the United Nations in New York on Monday, Cooper said: "We are vigilant. We are resolute. And if we need to confront planes that are operating in NATO airspace without permission, then we will do so."

In response to the heightened tensions, Typhoon jets from the Royal Air Force have been actively participating in NATO’s Eastern Sentry mission, with their first mission over Poland taking place on Friday, September 19.