Russia Claims NATO Poised to Seize Kaliningrad in Fresh Baltic Drills

Russia claimed NATO is rehearsing a seizure of its Baltic exclave during military exercises. The alliance hasn’t commented on the claim, but activity in the Baltic region continues to intensify. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied A woman walks past the seaport in Kaliningrad on Oct. 15, 2025. (Photo by Alexander NEMENOV / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google NATO is practicing scenarios for seizing Russia ’s Kaliningrad region, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko claimed. “During exercises under the auspices of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), scenarios such as a naval blockade and seizure of the Kaliningrad region are being practiced,” he told Russian state media RIA Novosti . Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . JEF is a UK-led coalition of 10 Northern European countries, established in 2015 to respond rapidly to crises, deter threats, and conduct operations primarily in the Baltic Sea region and the High North. Its members include the UK, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway. Kaliningrad, a heavily militarized Russian exclave between Poland and Lithuania, has long been viewed as a potential flashpoint in a broader NATO-Russia confrontation. Russia inherited the region from the USSR following its seizure from Germany as WWII war reparations.  Grushko also claimed that NATO’s activities in the region pose risks to international shipping and economic activity. According to him, a group of the alliance’s naval forces, including mine countermeasure units, is currently operating in the area. He further alleged that NATO’s Operation Baltic Sentinel, launched in January 2025, is aimed at controlling international transport routes and restricting cargo flows to harm Russian interests. Other Topics of Interest Ukraine Blows Up Druzhba Pump Station After Restoring Druzhba Oil Deliveries to Hungary Slovakian Prime Minister Fico seems to have predicted accurately that once Ukraine got a €90 billion military loan package Hungary had been blocking, Kyiv’s drones might hit Druzhba again. “NATO is deliberately pursuing a path of increasing confrontation in this part of Europe,” Grushko said. The alliance has not commented on Grushko’s latest claims. The Russian diplomat had made similar claims in November 2025, alleging that NATO was rehearsing a blockade of Kaliningrad during exercises and accusing the alliance of avoiding meaningful discussions on de-escalation. NATO naval exercises in the Baltic Sea, known as BALTOPS, have been held annually since 1972. This year’s drills are scheduled for June 4-19 and will include surface and anti-submarine warfare, amphibious operations, and air defense scenarios. Last year’s BALTOPS involved around 9,000 personnel from 16 countries and more than 65 units of equipment. Russia conducted parallel exercises in the Baltic Sea at the same time. While there are no signals that NATO is seizing the Russian exclave, Western officials said it would not be difficult to do so if the situation deteriorates. According to the commander of US Army forces in Europe and Africa in late July 2025, NATO could seize Russia’s Kaliningrad region “ in a timeframe that is unheard of .” Speaking at the LandEuro conference in Wiesbaden, Germany, Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue said NATO’s land forces had developed the capability to strike and capture key Russian positions faster than ever before. “We can take that down from the ground in a timeframe that is unheard of – faster than we’ve ever been able to do,” Donahue said, referring to Kaliningrad, which is surrounded by NATO territory. Meanwhile, Western intelligence assessments had warned that Russia could attempt to attack a NATO member within the next five to seven years. Officials fear Moscow could use the pretext of “protecting Russian-speaking people” to justify intervention in the Baltic states. Sweden’s chief of defense recently warned that Russia might also seize an island in the Baltic Sea to test NATO’s resolve. Julia is a Deputy Head of News and correspondent for Kyiv Post who has previously worked as a parliamentary editor, journalist, and news editor. She has specialized in covering the work of the Ukrainian parliament, government, and law enforcement agencies.