The Kremlin confirms the nuclear warning sent to NATO if the Alliance were to try to isolate the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad

The Kremlin confirmed on Wednesday, September 30, that Russia had sent NATO an informal document warning that it could resort to nuclear weapons if the Alliance attempted to isolate the Kaliningrad exclave from the rest of Russian territory. The information was reported by Reuters, which reviewed the document.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russian diplomats wanted to remind European states of Moscow’s policy on the use of nuclear force. In the document, Russia accuses NATO of pursuing a “dangerous and reckless” course, with a high risk of triggering a direct conflict.

Moscow claims that, in such a scenario, it could attack decision-making centers in NATO member states from the outset of the conflict and use its entire available arsenal to defend its territory. Kaliningrad lies between Poland and Lithuania and is separated from Belarus by the Suwałki Corridor.

NATO confirmed receiving the document and said it is a defensive alliance. The Alliance condemned the nuclear rhetoric and accused Russia of attempting to intimidate Europe, while reaffirming its support for Ukraine.