With fear growing in the Baltic states over what could happen if Russia had aggressive intentions towards them, NATO has announced new supportive measures.

Lithuanian paramilitaries training for combat have seen volunteer numbers soar, lately.

Lt. Col. Liudas Gumbinas said: “In fact, Russian aggression against Ukraine has impacted (the Lithuanian Riflemen’s) Union. Last year we accepted around 1,000newcomers into our organisation and today we are counting more than 8,000 members.”

Russia’s annexation of Crimea in Ukraine last year stupefied Europe and its allies.

NATO stood by when Georgia had its micro-war, with Russian intervention in 2008, and now NATO sees Moscow forcing new unilateral modifications.

It is not in NATO’s remit to get involved in a conflict unless one of its members is threatened, and Ukraine is not a member.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg announced what he said will be the biggest reinforcement of its collective defence since the Cold War ended.

Stolten