Russia’s embassy in Ireland: country will use nuclear weapons if Kaliningrad is isolated

The Russian Embassy in Ireland has stated that Russia is prepared to use its entire arsenal, including nuclear weapons, if NATO countries attempt to isolate the Kaliningrad region from the rest of the country.

The statement was published on the diplomatic mission’s Telegram channel.

“Russia will be prepared to use its entire arsenal, including nuclear weapons, to defend its territory if NATO countries attempt to isolate the Kaliningrad region from the rest of the country,” the embassy’s statement reads.

The publication also references reports about NATO preparations for an air and naval blockade of Kaliningrad. According to the embassy’s assessment, the risk of armed confrontation in such a scenario is high, and Russia could strike decision-making centers in alliance member states with preemptive strikes at an early stage of the conflict.

Representatives of the diplomatic mission noted that in recent months NATO and EU countries had been increasing military activity along Russia’s western border. In particular, from June to September, exercises with anti-Russian scenarios were held almost continuously in Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Finland, and in the Baltic Sea. The embassy singled out the joint Lithuanian, Polish, and French exercise Gallant Boar 2026, which it claimed was directed against the Kaliningrad region.

The statement quoted Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov:

“If the West attacks us, we will respond, and it will be a completely different war, and a very short one.”

At the same time, the embassy emphasized that Moscow does not plan a military invasion of Europe and has no motivation to further deteriorate relations with European countries. The buildup of NATO and EU military activity along Russian borders was described as a threat to Russia’s national security.

Similar warnings were published the day before by Russian embassies in Belgium and the United Kingdom. The Russian Embassy in London stated: “Those who advocate plans to blockade or strike Kaliningrad should harbor no illusions about the possible consequences.”

As far back as May, Russia’s Foreign Ministry had spoken of NATO practicing scenarios for isolating the Kaliningrad region and warned of the consequences of a possible blockade of the region. President Vladimir Putin had previously stated that an attempt to isolate the Kaliningrad region could lead to a sharp rise in tensions and escalate into a large-scale conflict, and that any threats to the region would be eliminated. Putin has also repeatedly stressed that Russia has “no reason whatsoever” to go to war with NATO countries: “No geopolitical interest, no economic, no political, no military.”