Latest news with #Kaliningrad
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Putin stages major war games on NATO's doorstep as submarine fires torpedoes at mock Western ship and Russia vows to conduct 'dozens' more naval drills this summer
Vladimir Putin has been staging major war games on NATO 's doorstep, sending a chilling threat to the West. Footage shows the dictator's warships practising military drills in the Baltic Sea - a major area of contention between NATO and Russia. The ships trained to counter marine drones and unmanned planes during the first of 'dozens' of drills promised by the dictator's navy this summer. In one exercise, a diesel submarine fired torpedoes at a mock Western ship and, in another, 30-mm AK-630 automatic rifles were used against 'floating mines'. The current display of power involves 20 warships and support vessels, 25 aircraft and helicopters, and 3,000 service personnel. The war games involve Russia's Baltic and North fleets with support from Aerospace Forces from Moscow and Leningrad military districts and 70 units of 'military and special equipment'. A key aim of the Putin drills is to train for 'defence of naval bases' in a sea where Russia and NATO compete for sway, according to the Baltic Fleet. Russia has access to the Baltic via Leningrad and Kaliningrad regions - but no less than eight NATO states front the sea. The ships trained to counter marine drones and unmanned planes during the first of 'dozens' of drills promised by the dictator's navy this summer In a direct warning to the West, the fleet's military council said its forces 'will participate in more that several dozen exercises on various tracks in the summer period'. A statement said: 'The efforts of the Baltic Fleet will be focused on securing the naval interests of the Russian Federation in the Baltic sea zone.' The sea is the focus of increasing tension between the West and Putin's burgeoning military machine. Estonia this month attempted to seize a Russian-bound oil tanker suspected of circumventing Western sanctions. In retaliation, Russia detained a Greek-owned oil tanker that had recently left an Estonian port, escalating maritime tensions in the region. Finland and Estonia have reported recent airspace violations by Putin's warplanes and Polish fighters intercepted a Russian Su-24 bomber performing 'dangerous' manoeuvres in international airspace over the Baltic Sea. Last month RAF Typhoons were scrambled from Malbork Air Base in Poland to intercept Russian military aircraft, including an Ilyushin Il-20M surveillance plane and two Su-30MKI fighters, approaching NATO airspace. There is also acute concern among NATO members over the security of undersea internet and communications cables, with the alliance launching Operation Baltic Sentry in January to enhance surveillance and protection. But Russia suffered a setback in Ukraine - with its newest powerful Dan-N jet drone destroyed by a missile system developed Ukrainian military intelligence. Footage shows the moment of destruction in the Odesa direction by a mobile anti-aircraft missile system equipped with R-73 missiles. Separately, Ukraine also conducted a sabotage operation more than 6,200 miles from its territory in Desantnaya Bay, Vladivostok, triggering explosions at the 155th Marine Brigade of the Pacific Fleet of the Russian Navy. Ukraine accused the bridge of mass war crimes, notably executions, including beheadings, torture in locations which as Bucha and Irpin. Two explosions of military equipment near Vladivostok led to a massive military and 'anti-terrorist' operation on Friday. Helicopters were scrambled over Desantnaya Bay near Vladivostok, with a major operation by the FSB secret service, military officers, anti-terrorism specialists, ambulances and police. In the wake of the explosions two trucks removed 'large objects covered with tarpaulin' under military guard. Russia has not informed its residents about the Ukrainian operation on its Pacific coast, instead telling people gas cylinders exploded in a car, an explanation widely mocked on social media. In Russia's latest strikes on civilians, a girl, nine, was killed in Zaporizhzhia region, while a 16 year old was wounded. 'These are the consequences of the enemy attack on the frontline village of the Pologovsky district,' said Ukrainian official Ivan Fedorov. 'The Russians hit residential buildings with [aerial bombs]. 'One house was destroyed.' A 66-year-old mangas killed in Russian shelling of Kherson overnight. In Rylsk, Kursk region, Ukraine reportedly hit a hotel where Russian military personnel were billeted.
Russia Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
This nation is looking to become NATO's war machine. What will Russia do?
Poland, a NATO member sharing a long border with Belarus and situated near the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, has announced plans to conduct its largest divisional military exercises in recent memory. Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz made the statement on Monday, underscoring Warsaw's growing alignment with Western military structures. While details remain classified, the scope of the maneuvers signals a continued escalation of Poland's military posture in the region. The exercises are being framed by Polish officials as a direct response to Zapad-2025, a large-scale joint military drill planned by Russia and Belarus for September. In Poland, however, what was once cautious strategic planning has given way to an increasingly belligerent tone from political and military leaders. Discussions of a potential conflict with Russia – a nuclear-armed state – are now voiced with unsettling frequency in Warsaw's political mainstream. Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Chief of the General Staff Wieslaw Kukula have both spoken openly about possible war scenarios. President Andrzej Duda, who only a year ago dismissed the idea of a Russian invasion, now presides over a government that appears fully committed to preparing for confrontation. Some members of parliament have even declared, half in jest and half in earnest, that they would send their own wives to the front lines. But rhetoric is only one part of the picture. In recent years, Poland has launched a sweeping military modernization campaign that has transformed its defense policy into one of the most aggressive in Europe. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Poland's defense budget has surged from $15.3 billion in 2021 to a staggering $38 billion in 2024 – more than doubling in just three years. The implications of this buildup – in a region already steeped in historic mistrust – raise serious questions about whether Poland is enhancing regional security or inflaming geopolitical tensions. On March 27, 2025, Poland took a major step in overhauling its land forces by ordering the first batch of 111 domestically built Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). The €1.5 billion contract, signed with the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), anticipates deliveries by 2029. Ultimately, Warsaw plans to acquire around 1,000 of these IFVs, in addition to 400 specialized vehicles built on the same platform. The Borsuk is emblematic of Poland's approach: National production with extensive foreign collaboration. The IFV features the American-made Mk44S Bushmaster II 30mm chain gun and Israeli Spike anti-tank missiles. Its design reflects lessons learned from the American Bradley vehicle, and South Korean firms may be involved in building its chassis. Beyond its combat version, the Borsuk platform will spawn a family of specialized vehicles – including Zuk reconnaissance units, Oset command vehicles, Gotem medevac systems, Gekon armored recovery units, and Ares CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear) reconnaissance platforms. Poland also plans to mount the M120 Rak 120mm mortar on the Borsuk chassis, expanding its battlefield versatility. The Borsuk IFV program is only a piece of a much larger puzzle. From 2010 to 2025, Poland has become the top purchaser of armored vehicles in Europe. Its inventory now includes: 250 American M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks, with deliveries expected by 2026 – in addition to 116 M1A1s already in service; 220 German Leopard 2A4/2A5 tanks, received and upgraded; 1,000 South Korean K2 Black Panther tanks, of which 110 have already been delivered, with local production planned; Over 550 Finnish Rosomak wheeled IFVs, assembled partly in Poland. The Rosomak platform alone supports numerous roles – from troop transport to artillery coordination. Meanwhile, Poland is also producing over 800 South Korean K9 Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzers under license, while continuing to build at least 300 domestically designed Krab howitzers. Older Soviet-era equipment, such as PT-91 Twardy tanks and BWP-1 APCs, remains in limited use. Missile capability is another key pillar of modernization. Poland is acquiring 500 American HIMARS and around 300 South Korean K239 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket systems. These platforms can fire precision-guided missiles at distances ranging from 36 to 300 kilometers – including ATACMS-class munitions – and provide NATO with a high-mobility strike force deep in Eastern Europe. At the heart of Poland's military transformation is its deepening partnership with South Korea. Seoul's defense industry has become a cornerstone of Warsaw's rearmament effort, supplying not only weapons systems, but also helping build local production capacity. The K2 Black Panther – Poland's largest defense contract – is a 55-ton main battle tank with advanced targeting systems, active protection armor, and a 1,500-horsepower engine. It rivals the Russian T-90 and is expected to eventually outnumber all other tanks in Poland's arsenal. In contrast, older Western tanks like the Leopard 2 and M1 Abrams are being relegated to supporting roles or phased out altogether. South Korean expertise also supports the Krab howitzer (based on the K9 chassis), the Chunmoo rocket system (mounted on Polish Jelcz trucks), and key components of the Borsuk IFV. Finnish and American companies round out the collaboration: Patria co-develops the Rosomak platform, while Oshkosh supplies vehicle chassis. Once procurement is complete, Poland will not only field NATO Europe's strongest armored corps but also rank among its most capable missile powers. When it comes to missile systems, Poland's ambitions go far beyond tanks. Once its defense procurement plans are fully implemented, the country will become not only the strongest tank power in NATO's European theater, but also a major missile force. The K239 Chunmoo tactical missile system – a key element of this effort – features modular launchers that can fire rockets at distances ranging from 36 to 300 kilometers. Comparable to the American HIMARS system, it can also launch precision-guided missiles, including operational-tactical ATACMS munitions, with ranges of up to 300 kilometers. Both systems are satellite-guided, highly mobile, and designed for fast, flexible strikes – together forming the backbone of a powerful new strike capability. And there are even more ambitious goals. Warsaw has openly discussed hosting American nuclear weapons and deploying medium-range missile systems on its territory. While those talks remain preliminary, they reflect a clear shift in Polish strategic thinking – away from defense and toward deterrence, or even forward-postured confrontation. Poland is undergoing a major transformation of its ground forces, and by the end of this decade, it may become the most powerful strike force in Europe. What's driving this shift? Most of the upgrades are justified by the supposed threat from Russia – a narrative that, while questionable, has proven politically convenient for many NATO members. It appears that Poland's leadership genuinely believes it. Another likely motivation is the development of Poland's domestic defense industry. Many of the new programs involve building local production and assembly lines, which supports industrial growth and helps Poland gain access to advanced technologies. This modernization effort may be the most expensive and ambitious military program in Europe. Once completed, it will position Poland as NATO's leading eastern force. Such a vast rearmament requires justification – and perhaps that's why the Russian threat narrative has been so actively promoted in recent years. Poland's cooperation with the current government in Kiev is also an important factor. Warsaw supplies Ukraine with artillery, armored vehicles, and ammunition – though it has not offered its modern tanks. Meanwhile, Poland is close to meeting its NATO commitments on defense spending. What does this mean for Russia, and how might it respond? In the future, there may be efforts to establish new agreements limiting conventional weapons in Europe, involving both long-time NATO members and newer ones like Poland, as well as Ukraine. At the same time, Russia and Belarus may deepen their military integration – not just in terms of conventional forces but also advanced missile systems. Russia already fields brigades equipped with both Iskander-M and the new Oreshnik systems. This opens the door to both nuclear and non-nuclear deterrence, the latter of which may be more practical in avoiding all-out conflict. As for Poland's rearmament – the problem is, as the old theatrical saying goes, if a gun is hung on the wall in the first act, it will eventually be fired.
Wall Street Journal
5 days ago
- Politics
- Wall Street Journal
The U.S. Reinforces Europe's Northern Front, Fearing War With Russia
GOTLAND, Sweden—At the crack of dawn, a dozen U.S. Marines recently took position in a field on this sleepy Swedish island about 200 miles from the Russian city of Kaliningrad and fired their mobile rocket system. The dummy munitions splashed into the Baltic Sea, yet they sent a message to Russia: Even as President Trump has thrown NATO into a historic crisis by questioning its efficacy, in Northern Europe, the U.S. military is doubling down.
Russia Today
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Terrorist plot foiled in Russia's Kaliningrad
Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has announced the arrest of a suspect who allegedly planned to carry out a terrorist attack on a Victory Day parade in the western exclave of Kaliningrad on May 9. According to a press release by the agency on Friday, the 25-year-old voluntarily joined a terrorist organization and intended to detonate an explosive device on the route of a parade column of military personnel. The orders were reportedly given to the suspect by a Ukrainian on the messenger Telegram, as confirmed by his correspondence with an alleged member of the organization. The suspect has now been arrested and faces up to 20 years in prison on charges of assisting terrorist activity and assisting sabotage. A video published by the FSB along with the press release shows security personnel arresting the suspect, as well as his confession. In the clip, the detained man admitted that in April he had contacted a person located in Ukraine and was given the task of surveilling the parade rehearsal at Victory Square in Kaliningrad. On May 5, several days before the parade, the suspect said he had taken pictures of where people and military equipment were gathered, for which he received $150 in cryptocurrency. The Ukrainian then allegedly instructed the man to place an explosive device and promised him a $205,000 reward. The alleged terrorist plot is one of several that were reportedly planned by Ukrainian operatives ahead of Victory Day celebrations in Russia earlier this month. On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin also informed his US counterpart Donald Trump that Russia's security services had foiled several terrorist attacks near the Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow ahead of the May 9 events. According to presidential aide Yury Ushakov, the Russian leader told Trump that Ukraine had 'directly threatened foreign participants in the [Victory Day] festivities [and] attempted to... prevent their arrival in Moscow.' Previously, Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky had stated that Kiev could not guarantee the safety of foreign officials visiting the Russian capital. This warning was followed by more than 500 kamikaze drones and UK-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles being launched by Ukraine's forces targeting multiple Russian regions, including the capital. Putin reportedly told Trump that the 'masterminds behind those threats [are] those who celebrate Nazi criminals,' according to Ushakov.
ABC News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
German troops to be based in Lithuania
Samantha Donovan: For the first time since World War II, German troops are to be based in another country. About 5,000 soldiers make up a new unit that will be stationed in Lithuania. After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the unit's purpose is to bolster the defence of Lithuania and the neighbouring Baltic republics Latvia and Estonia. Isabel Moussalli prepared this report. Isabel Moussalli: In Lithuania's capital Vilnius, soldiers march through the streets while dozens of military helicopters fly above. This is a momentous occasion, the inauguration of a new German brigade. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz addresses the crowds. Friedrich Merz: We must be able to defend ourselves against such attacks at all times. Freedom is not for free and we are aware of our own responsibility. Isabel Moussalli: Germany has had troops in Lithuania since 2017, but this new unit represents a significant change as Germany works to strengthen its military in the face of Russian aggression. Lithuania borders the Russian area of Kaliningrad, which is detached from the rest of Russia, and Belarus, which is an ally to Moscow. Friedrich Merz: More than ever before, we depend on solidarity and friendship among liberal democracies. Peace in Europe has been broken. Each and every day, Russia is violating the order that we collectively adopted as a lesson from the horrors of the Second World War. With a criminal war of aggression against Ukraine, but also with attacks and murders in numerous European cities, with acts of espionage and sabotage. Isabel Moussalli: On these Lithuanian streets, residents take a closer look at the tanks moving through their neighbourhood. This man welcomes their arrival. Opinion: It really gives us more safety, more precaution and we are just, as a country, we are more ready about it. So I'm very happy that Germans are here. I'm very happy that my country is collaborating with Germany. Isabel Moussalli: But another resident, Nicole Zinkova, has mixed feelings. Nicole Zinkova: You need to defend yourself, so this is important to have. But at the same moment, it makes me sad pretty much, because we need it. Isabel Moussalli: Maria Rost Rublee is a professor of international relations at the University of Melbourne. Prof Maria Rost Rublee: This is pretty historic. This is the first time since World War II that Germany is going to have a permanent foreign troop deployment. And it's historic because of course, World War II, you know, the German loss and concerns about German aggression. Germany had taken a very low profile in terms of defence and military spending. But now, with concerns about Russia's aggression, you know, Germany has taken on a new role. Isabel Moussalli: While it may be a significant move, Professor Rublee says it's not significant in terms of numbers. Prof Maria Rost Rublee: Essentially, this is a German brigade, which is about 5,000 troops and supporting civilians. And so it's not as though that this is going to turn the tide against any Russian invasion if Russia did decide to invade Lithuania. But what this says is that Germany is taking on a new role that sees that Lithuania's security is German security, that NATO security is German security, and that they're essentially going to, you know, stand up and move past the backseat role that it's been taking in defence and security for a long time. Isabel Moussalli: And this isn't the only change. Prof Maria Rost Rublee: Another historic first in terms of defence and security for Germany. They've just amended the country's basic law, essentially their constitution, allowing them to exempt defence spending from Germany's strict debt rules. And so Germany is taking on a much more, a much more leadership role in Europe in terms of defence spending, military positioning and thinking as well. Isabel Moussalli: The new unit is expected to reach its full strength by the end of 2027. Samantha Donovan: Isabel Moussalli reporting.
