Putin warns Russia could use ‘all types of weapons’ if Kaliningrad attacked

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia would consider using “all types of weapons” if its exclave of Kaliningrad was attacked, while insisting that Moscow had no intention of attacking anyone.

His comments came as tensions mounted over Kaliningrad, Russia’s heavily militarised territory that borders Poland, Lithuania and the Baltic Sea.

“If it comes to a direct attack on the Russian Federation… then, of course, the question of the Russian Federation deploying all types of weapons at our country’s disposal will inevitably and immediately be on the agenda. This is inevitable,” Putin said at the annual Valdai forum.

In recent months, NATO countries have conducted several military exercises along the borders of Kaliningrad, prompting Moscow to condemn what it called “provocative statements and actions” by NATO leaders and member states.

NATO has in turn denounced Russia’s “threat of force, including any irresponsible nuclear rhetoric”.

Putin on Thursday again condemned “successive military exercises in the Baltic Sea” and “attempts to intercept” Russian vessels.

“All this constitutes an escalation,” he said.

“We have no intention of attacking anyone – neither in 2029, nor in 2030, nor in 2050,” Putin said.

“However, if we face aggression, we will be compelled to respond. Citizens of European countries need to clearly understand this,” he added.