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Russia warns NATO of nuclear response to protect Kaliningrad FAST-MOVING
Russia has issued a formal diplomatic warning to NATO, stating it is prepared to use its entire military arsenal, including nuclear weapons, to defend the Kaliningrad exclave. In an informal document, or ‘non-paper’, sent via the Russian embassy in Belgium, Moscow accused the alliance of pursuing a ‘dangerous and reckless course’ through military exercises and planning scenarios that simulate the isolation of the territory.
The Kremlin warned that any attempt to blockade or cut off Kaliningrad from the rest of Russia could lead to a direct armed conflict and might result in Russian strikes against decision-making centers within NATO member states.
NATO has responded by condemning the ‘irresponsible nuclear rhetoric’ and the threat of force. NATO spokesperson Allison Hart emphasized that the alliance is a defensive organization and maintained that its military activities and exercises do not pose a threat to Russian territory. NATO officials also characterized the Russian warnings as an attempt to exert pressure on Europe and intimidate the alliance.
Separately, EU foreign ministers are working on a protocol to strengthen the bloc’s coordinated response to Russian sabotage and hybrid threats, such as cyberattacks and disinformation, to bolster infrastructure and public security.
Entities
Allison Hart · Belgium · European Union · Kaliningrad · Mark Rutte · NATO · Russia · Russia · Russia · Russian Embassy in Belgium · Russian Embassy in London · United Kingdom
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A drone carrying explosives was discovered at a German airport.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The NATO mission ‘Eastern Shield’ has led to Russians being more cautious about drones crossing into Poland or the Baltic states. verige.net
- [● 3 SOURCES] Grynkewich stated that increasing support for Ukraine is the best way to respond to Russian destabilization. verige.net
- [● 4 SOURCES] NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe Alexus Grynkewich urged allies to publicly attribute responsibility for hybrid attacks to Moscow to increase costs for state sponsors. verige.net
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A Russian military vessel fired flares toward a Danish helicopter.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Publicly attributing responsibility increases the cost for state sponsors and can have a deterrent effect. verige.net
- [● 32 SOURCES] Russia is prepared to deploy its entire arsenal to defend its territory if NATO countries attempt to isolate Kaliningrad from the rest of the country. www.dattelner-morgenpost.de · www.marler-zeitung.de · www.cash.ch · zahranicni.hn.cz · www.jawapos.com · +16 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] Direct armed conflict could involve immediate attacks on NATO decision-making centers. www.dattelner-morgenpost.de · www.marler-zeitung.de · www.cash.ch · www.infokuryr.cz
- [● 21 SOURCES] Russia accused NATO of an unprecedented escalation of the military-political situation regarding Kaliningrad. www.dattelner-morgenpost.de · www.marler-zeitung.de · www.cash.ch · zahranicni.hn.cz · etv.me · +9 more
- [● 21 SOURCES] NATO is a defensive alliance and its activities and exercises do not pose a risk to any part of Russia. www.dattelner-morgenpost.de · www.marler-zeitung.de · www.cnbce.com · www.cash.ch · cbn.globo.com · +9 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] Any military action by the UK or NATO against Russian territory will be met with all available means, including nuclear weapons. www.haberaktuel.com · ostdeutsche-zeitung.de
- [● 18 SOURCES] NATO strongly condemns the threat of the use of force, including any irresponsible nuclear rhetoric. cbn.globo.com · www.cnbce.com · www.dattelner-morgenpost.de · www.marler-zeitung.de · www.cash.ch · +10 more