KALININGRAD, October 14. /TASS/. NATO’s Deterrence on the Eastern Flank concept, which envisages strikes against the Kaliningrad Region, Belarus, and the environs of St. Petersburg, poses a potential threat to Russia’s overall security, Andrey Kropotkin, Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of the Kaliningrad Region, said in an interview with TASS.
Earlier, media reported that NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Alexus Grynkewich presented the Deterrence on the Eastern Flank initiative at the Warsaw Security Forum.
The initial phase envisages the use of a network of ground drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to create an isolated zone and reduce personnel losses. At the same time, long-range missiles are planned to be used against strategic targets: communication centers, command centers, air defense positions in the Kaliningrad Region, Belarus, and the environs of St. Petersburg.
"Of course, it's necessary to distinguish between hypothetical military planning and actual intentions. But when scenarios of direct armed conflict are discussed at such a high level, this requires the utmost responsibility for every word and every decision. I emphasize once again that the Kaliningrad Region is not just a point on a map. It is part of the Russian Federation, where our citizens live, our children grow up, and our businesses operate. And any threats to the region's security affect the interests of the entire country. Russia's position on protecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity is consistent. President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly emphasized the state's readiness to ensure its security. I am convinced that our ‘neighbors’ must understand the consequences of a possible escalation. A direct clash between Russia and NATO cannot be viewed as a routine military-political scenario, as the cost of a mistake could be catastrophic for all of Europe," the lawmaker stated.
The Kaliningrad Region is a Russian semi-exclave, separated from the rest of the country by the territory of EU and NATO member states. Aggressive rhetoric about possible measures against the Russian region has intensified sharply in recent months, with threats of an economic and territorial blockade of the Kaliningrad Region appearing in the foreign press.