European officials are increasingly concerned that Russia could expand the war beyond Ukraine, as threats toward NATO members escalate, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported. According to the WSJ report on Tuesday, Moscow has intensified rhetoric against Baltic states while continuing large-scale strikes on Kyiv and conducting military exercises, including nuclear drills with Belarus.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. Russian officials have threatened Latvia over claims that Ukrainian drone operators are using its territory, which Riga denies. Lithuania last week activated air raid alerts after suspected Russian drones approached its airspace from Belarus. Russia’s defense ministry has also published addresses of companies in several European countries allegedly linked to Ukrainian drone production, warning of possible escalation if military support for Kyiv continues. Concerns over possible NATO test European intelligence and security officials told the WSJ that Russia may attempt to test NATO’s response by targeting areas such as the Baltic states or locations in the Baltic Sea or Arctic region. “The security environment in Europe has deteriorated during the last 24 months,” Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson said. He added that Russia is showing a greater willingness to take risks, including hybrid and potentially kinetic actions. Jonson’s statements echoed those of Swedish Chief of Defense Michael Claesson in April, when Claesson said Russia could test NATO’s resolve by seizing a small Baltic island “at any time.”