Russia Warns NATO Over Kaliningrad

Russia warned NATO in a diplomatic note that it could use nuclear weapons if alliance members try to isolate Kaliningrad from the rest of Russia. Kaliningrad is a heavily militarized Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea, bordered by Poland and Lithuania, and home to Russia’s Baltic Fleet and nuclear-capable Iskander missiles. The warning lands amid heightened Baltic tensions after NATO exercises, the Baltic Sentry operation, and recent airspace and maritime incidents involving Russia and NATO states. Russia’s memo said Moscow had information that NATO was preparing an air and naval blockade. NATO rejected that claim, calling the alliance defensive and urging Russia to stop irresponsible nuclear rhetoric. The next question is whether Moscow escalates or NATO changes posture.