NATO forces scrambled fighter jets after Vladimir Putin ordered nuclear-capable Tu-95MS bombers to conduct a seven-hour flight over the Norwegian Sea during the Christmas holiday.The provocative mission coincided with Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure and a Christmas Eve address by Volodymyr Zelensky calling for the demise of the Russian leader.Historical records from 2001 recently revealed that Putin warned George W. Bush that Ukraine joining the alliance would create a permanent conflict zone and threaten regional security.