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Russian Foreign Ministry: West preparing scenario to seize Kaliningrad

23 April 2026 15:53 (UTC +04:00)

European countries are practicing scenarios involving a naval blockade and the seizure of the Kaliningrad region during exercises of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said, APA’s Moscow bureau reports.

According to him, in recent years, the activity of European military forces responsible for rapid response in the Far North, the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea has increased.

Grushko also recalled NATO’s “Baltic Sentry” operation launched after the cutting of energy and communication cables on the seabed of the Baltic Sea.

The Russian deputy foreign minister described the real purpose of that operation as controlling international transport routes and restricting cargo transportation carried out in Russia’s interests.

“NATO is deliberately moving along the path of escalating confrontation in this part of Europe,” the Russian diplomat emphasized.

It should be noted that, in addition to the United Kingdom, the JEF includes Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway. The coalition was established in 2015 to respond rapidly to crises, prevent threats, and mainly conduct operations in the Baltic Sea and northern regions.