Russia attempted to intimidate a French patrol aircraft, according to Defense Minister Lecornu.

France's Minister of Defense, Sébastien Lecornu, stated that a French aircraft faced aggressive actions from Russia while monitoring vessels during a NATO surveillance mission near Sweden, as reported by Euronews.

Lecornu mentioned that the maritime patrol aircraft was conducting a routine "surveillance flight" as part of NATO's response mission near Sweden when it was targeted by the "fire control radar of the S-400 ground/air defense system."

In December, NATO announced it would enhance its presence in the Baltic Sea due to acts of sabotage, including damage to several underwater internet cables and a power cable.

In his statement, the minister labeled the "aggressive actions" as "unacceptable," adding that France "will continue to act to protect the freedom of navigation in international air and maritime spaces."

Russia has not responded to these accusations.

The Baltic countries are on high alert following a series of incidents that raised concerns about further Russian sabotage in the region.

This week, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced a new mission, which includes frigates, maritime patrol aircraft, and a fleet of naval drones to ensure "enhanced surveillance" in the Baltic Sea.

"Throughout the Alliance, we see elements of a campaign to destabilize our countries through cyberattacks, assassination attempts, and sabotage, including damage to underwater cables in the Baltic Sea," Rutte stated.

A few days prior, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that Warsaw is participating in countering Russian "sabotage acts," which included "terrorist acts in the air."

According to Tusk, Russia planned a wave of bomb attacks aimed at downing aircraft in flight around the world.