Russia says it would use nuclear weapons to defend Kaliningrad if NATO tries to isolate the Russian exclave.
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Russia has warned NATO it would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons to defend Kaliningrad if members of the alliance try to cut off the Russian exclave from the rest of the country.
The warning followed similar messages posted by several Russian embassies in Europe this week, which said Moscow has “information that NATO is preparing (an) air and naval blockade of Kaliningrad and Kaliningrad region.”
In the statements, Russia accused European leaders of “playing a dangerous game,” including by warning that Russia might attack another country or ramp up destabilizing attacks in Europe using drones and sabotage. Moscow called those allegations absurd.
In a statement posted by the Russian Embassy in Ireland on Tuesday, it said: “There should be no mistake — Russia would be ready to use all its arsenal, including nuclear weapons, to defend its territory if NATO countries try to isolate Kaliningrad region from the rest of the country.”
Allison Hart, a NATO spokesperson, said Wednesday that Russia had sent a written message to the U.S.-led alliance, and that NATO “strongly denounce[s] the threat of force, including any irresponsible nuclear rhetoric.” She said NATO is not targeting Kaliningrad and that it replied, noting the alliance is defensive and that none of its activities or exercises pose a risk to any part of Russia.
Kaliningrad is a Baltic exclave surrounded by NATO members Poland and Lithuania. It is home to Russia’s main Baltic navy base and other military assets, including nuclear-capable Iskander missiles.
Western military officers have said key installations in Kaliningrad would be likely first targets if Russia launched an attack on a NATO ally. NATO allies have conducted exercises in the Baltic Sea region in recent months, with more planned in October.
NATO launched Operation Baltic Sentry last year to protect communication cables and pipelines. On Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to Russia’s warning by pointing to what he said were “rampant statements” from Poland and other European nations about Kaliningrad.
Peskov told reporters that it was “only natural” for diplomats to remind European countries of Moscow’s policy documents on the issue.
In addition, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said last week he believes the rising number of incidents shows Russian President Vladimir Putin is losing the war on Ukraine, now in its fifth year. Hart said Russia’s hybrid tactics are a sign of “desperation,” adding that NATO would not be dissuaded from support for Ukraine and that it is ready to counter any threat to allied territory.
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