“Missiles From There Will Reach Warsaw and Berlin Faster,” Russian Lawmaker Says in Response to NATO Plans

Russian State Duma member Alexei Zhuravlev has threatened missile strikes on European capitals in response to NATO’s reported plan to neutralize the Kaliningrad region.

The statement was published on his personal social media page.

Zhuravlev described Kaliningrad as the most likely target of a potential NATO attack in the event of war with Russia. However, he claimed the region, separated from mainland Russia, remains impenetrable and would “make the enemy break its teeth.” He cited the presence of advanced air defense systems, including S-400 “Triumph” launchers, and offensive weapons.

“Kaliningrad is also valuable because it’s much closer to European capitals. Missiles from there will reach Warsaw or Berlin faster, which will put an end to any encroachment on our land,” Zhuravlev wrote.

The lawmaker’s remarks followed comments from General Christopher Todd Donahue, Commander of US Army Europe and Africa, who confirmed the existence of a NATO plan to destroy the Russian enclave if needed.

Donahue said the Kaliningrad region—an approximately 75-mile-wide Russian territory surrounded by NATO members—could be eliminated “from the ground in an unprecedentedly short time.”

“We have already planned and prepared for this. Russia challenges us in terms of scale and speed, and we have developed solutions that allow us to effectively counter this threat,” Donahue said.

Kaliningrad enclave

Kaliningrad is a Russian semi-exclave with no land border with mainland Russia, connected only by sea. The region, formerly part of East Prussia, was transferred to the USSR after World War II in 1945 and renamed the Kaliningrad Oblast.

Russia has turned it into a heavily fortified military outpost, but the war in Ukraine prompted the redeployment of some forces. Troop reductions in the region were observed as early as August 2024.

Some of S-400 systems referenced by Zhuravlev were reportedly transferred to Rostov-on-Don in November 2023. According to Bellingcat, at least several batteries were removed from two air defense sites in the region.