Britain is sending a team of drone experts to Moldova to train troops in how to combat potential Russian incursions.

John Healey, the Defence Secretary, said on Wednesday morning that the UK was seeking to “ramp up our response to Russia’s aggression”.

A contingent of British military personnel will be deployed to the country, which borders Ukraine, to train Moldovan soldiers how to identify, track and destroy unmanned aerial vehicles.

The deployment follows a series of Russian aerial incursions across Europe. About 20 Russian drones flew into Poland, while Russian MiG-31 fighter jets passed into Estonian airspace for 12 minutes.

Speaking before a meeting of Nato defence chiefs in Brussels, Mr Healey said: “Putin’s incursions into Nato territory are reckless, dangerous, and totally unacceptable.

“Deliberate or not, Putin is watching what we do. And Putin should be in no doubt, if Nato is threatened, we will act.”

Tensions between Nato and Russia have risen in recent weeks, after a number of countries within the alliance reported drones entering their airspace.