World Affairs International

NATO has announced a sharp increase of its standby forces in Eastern Europe, raising the alliance’s troops from 40,000 to 300,000.

Lithuania reported a cyberattack from Russia, targeting government infrastructure with DDoS attacks. Previously, NATO officials alluded to cyberattacks as a potential cause for the evocation of Article V. Though Lithuania has not done so and is unlikely to in the short term; it is likely that NATO would respond in kind with its cyber operations in Russia.

Concurrent with NATO’s announcement and the G7 meeting, Russia launched a missile attack against a mall in Ukraine, killing at least 15 people and injuring many others. More deaths are being recorded, and the attack comes as Russia begins broadening the scope of its “missile terrorism” to keep Western and Northern Ukraine on edge. More dangerous rhetoric from the Kremlin will likely emerge amidst the impending Madrid NATO summit.