Russia warns NATO of possible nuclear response if Kaliningrad is cut off

Russia has issued a stark warning to NATO, stating it would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons to defend its Kaliningrad exclave should any member of the military alliance attempt to sever its western region from the rest of the country. This assertion came in a letter to NATO, echoing similar claims made by several Russian embassies in Europe.

The embassies accused European leaders of "playing a dangerous game" with their rhetoric, warning of the potential for destabilizing attacks in Europe using drones and sabotage. Moscow has denied these allegations, asserting that it would use all its arsenal, including nuclear weapons, to protect its territory from isolation. The Russian Embassy in Ireland emphasized that Russia would be ready to use all its arsenal, including nuclear weapons, to defend its territory if NATO countries tried to isolate the Kaliningrad region from the rest of the country.

NATO spokesperson Allison Hart strongly denounced Russia's threat of force, including any irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, maintaining that NATO is not targeting Kaliningrad and that none of its activities or exercises pose a risk to any part of Russia. Kaliningrad, a Baltic exclave surrounded by NATO members Poland and Lithuania, hosts Russia's main Baltic navy base and other military assets.

Western military officers have stated that key military installations in Kaliningrad would likely be the first targets in a hypothetical Russian attack on any NATO ally. NATO has conducted various military exercises in the Baltic Sea region recently, with more planned in October, including Operation Baltic Sentry launched last year to protect communication cables and pipelines.

European leaders and intelligence services have warned that Russia is intensifying its hybrid campaign, potentially ready to strike another country within years, especially if it achieves victory in Ukraine. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte believes the increasing incidents indicate that Russian President Vladimir Putin is losing the war, which has been ongoing for five years, and that the best response is to provide Ukraine with more weapons.

Hart emphasized that NATO remains committed to defending every inch of Allied territory and remaining strong, ready, and capable of countering any threat.