[IngvarLynn]

Not an escalation of course.

Bullying 101: maximize damage (emotional or physical) while remaining technically not liable. To increase damage further ramp up the frequency of such incidents. If other side retaliates - make them liable.

[nradov]

It is of course an escalation relative to previous Russian actions. Call it bullying if you like, that won't make any difference to the course of the conflict. Liability is a meaningless concept in situations like this; what matters is how much further they're willing to escalate.