Russia's push into Ukraine and its increase in military flights into NATO airspace are meant to send a clear message to the West: they're here to stay.

Supreme Allied Commander of NATO Gen. Philip Breedlove told reporters Monday that the Ukraine-Russia border has turned into a "completely porous" gateway for Russia to resupply and train separatists in eastern Ukraine.

"For some time now, we've been reporting about the same number of Russians inside Ukraine, and that is between 250 and 300 forces inside Ukraine," Breedlove said. "These are not fighting formations. These are formations and specialists that are in there doing training and equipping of the separatist forces."

The border currently holds about seven battalion task groups, Breedlove said, and another convoy arrived at the border yesterday.

"We believe that was probably to bring some pressure on and make sure that the elections went according to the separatist plans," he said.

Similarly, over the past year, NATO has seen an uptick in Russian aircraft interceptions.

In addition to an "unusual" spike in Russian military flights reported by NATO on Oct. 29 over the Black, Baltic and North seas and the Atlantic Ocean, Britain's Ministry of Defense said Saturday that RAF Typhoons based at Lossiemouth in Scotland intercepted more Russian aircraft on Friday.

"What you saw this past week was a larger, more complex formation of aircraft carrying out a little deeper, and I would say, a little bit more provocative flight path," Breedlove said. "My opinion is that they're messaging us that they are a great power and that they have the ability to exert these kinds of influences in our thinking."

Breedlove said NATO does not converse with its Russian counterparts on flight activity — mechanisms are in place to address "unprofessional flight activity," but the most recent uptick in intercepts has not warranted talks or negotiations.

The approach from both NATO and European Command is to remain committed to Operation Atlantic Resolve — an ongoing effort to demonstrate U.S. commitment to NATO allies and European partners — and to air, land, and ground presence in Eastern Europe, he said.

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