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Russia Accuses NATO of Practicing Kaliningrad Blockade During Baltic Drills

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Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko
Dariia Mykhailenko
News Writer
Bundeswehr harbour protection units secure the port during the Quadriga 2025 military exercises on September 4, 2025 in Rostock, Germany. Illustrative photo. (Source: Getty Images)
Bundeswehr harbour protection units secure the port during the Quadriga 2025 military exercises on September 4, 2025 in Rostock, Germany. Illustrative photo. (Source: Getty Images)

NATO member states are increasing their military presence in the Baltic region and conducting exercises that include scenarios for blockading Russia’s Kaliningrad region, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said in an interview with Izvestia on November 5.

“During the alliance’s exercises, scenarios such as blocking the Kaliningrad region are being practiced. The [Baltic] region is undergoing active militarization, with an influx of coalition forces and resources,” Grushko said.

He noted that in such circumstances, the possibilities for dialogue to ease tensions are “extremely limited.” Grushko added that Russia is preparing to safeguard its national interests and security “using all available international legal and other mechanisms.”

In a separate statement, Russia’s foreign intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin accused NATO-aligned European nations of “openly preparing for war” against Moscow. Speaking at a session of the Council of Security and Intelligence Heads of CIS countries on October 21, Naryshkin claimed that the bloc is “rapidly mobilizing military resources and shaping public opinion to justify conflict.”

“The task has been set to rapidly equip NATO’s designated Allied Response Forces with all necessary resources,” said Naryshkin, who heads Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service. He added that European countries have begun a “multiple-fold increase in the production of military equipment” and are conducting active mobilization training.

The remarks from Russian officials come amid heightened tensions between Moscow and NATO following the alliance’s recent large-scale military exercises near Russia’s borders, which the Kremlin has repeatedly described as “provocative.”

Earlier, it was reported that NATO intends to incorporate drones into its units stationed along the alliance’s eastern flank by mid-2026, in an effort to bolster air defenses and address the increasing threat posed by Russia.

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