NATO is concerned by Russia's deployment of weapons to the Kaliningrad region
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is concerned about Russia’s deployment of modern weapons in the Kaliningrad region. In particular, the concern of NATO member States is triggered by the dominance of the Russian Air Force in the airspace of the Baltic countries and the fact that the European capitals would be in range of Russian missiles in the event of a conflict, as stated by the Deputy Commander of the NATO airbase in Geilenkirchen, Ian Tickle, in an interview with the Associated Press. NATO electronic reconnaissance aircraft regularly conduct flights over the north-east of Poland to monitor the airspace. In November, Russia deployed a Bastion coastal defense missile system with a range of up to 450 kilometers in the region.
This missile system can be used against both ships and ground-based targets. In addition, the Russian Federation has deployed Iskander missile systems with a range of up to 500 kilometers and S-400 Triumf missile systems to the Kaliningrad region.
NATO member States have repeatedly expressed their concern regarding the deployment of Russian weapons in Kaliningrad. Moscow stressed that it will continue to strengthen the air defense system in the west in response to the deployment of missile defense systems in Europe. The President of the Russian Federation stated today that Western countries constantly provoke Russia and try to drag it into a confrontation.