BERLIN

Germany's defense minister claimed on Wednesday that Russian jets recently provoked a German navy frigate in the Baltic Sea, but emphasized Berlin maintained its caution to prevent escalation.

"The incursion of Russian drones and warplanes deep into Polish and Estonian airspace, as well as the overflight of a German frigate in the Baltic Sea in recent days, make it clear that Russia is literally testing the boundaries with increasing frequency and intensity," Boris Pistorius told lawmakers in parliament during a debate on the 2026 budget.

The Social Democrat politician asserted that recent drone incursions and airspace violations of NATO allies by Russian military aircraft were a deliberate strategy by President Vladimir Putin to identify, expose, and exploit potential weaknesses in the NATO alliance.

“The NATO alliance has responded to Russian provocations in a clear and decisive manner, while at the same time exercising the necessary prudence that is particularly important these days,” Pistorius said. “We are thus showing a clear response to Russian behavior, but without alarmism. In other words, we are not falling for Putin's provocations; we are not falling into this trap of escalation,” he added.

German news agency DPA reported that the incident Pistorius disclosed on Wednesday took place during and shortly before the past weekend, when Russian fighter jets flew over the German navy frigate Hamburg in the Baltic Sea. The vessel is currently participating in the ongoing NATO exercise "Neptun Strike" in the region, according to Defense Ministry sources.