Putin claims that Russia can thwart any attack on Kaliningrad

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Russia had all the necessary means to destroy anyone who would try to attack the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, a strategic territory located between Poland and Lithuania on the Baltic Sea.

Speaking at a press conference following an economic summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, Putin was responding to recent statements by Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys, who had said that NATO should demonstrate its ability to penetrate the Kaliningrad enclave if necessary.

The Russian leader warned that any attempt at aggression against this territory would trigger an overwhelming response from Moscow. Kaliningrad holds particular military importance for Russia, which deploys advanced air defense systems, naval capabilities, and long-range missiles there.

Putin also commented on reports from Russian intelligence services that Ukraine had sent drone operators to Latvia. Without providing any public evidence, he reiterated that any location deemed a threat to Russian security could become a legitimate target for Moscow's forces.

Despite these warnings, the Russian president assured that his country remained ready to continue discussions aimed at a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine.

These statements come amid rising tensions between Russia and NATO members, as drone incidents, military exercises and exchanges of threats multiply on the eastern flank of the Atlantic Alliance.