Putin says Russia would weigh using 'all weapons' if Kaliningrad were attacked

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on 1 October 2026 that using "all weapons" would be on the agenda if Russia were directly attacked. He named the Kaliningrad region as an example. He spoke at the Valdai Club forum.

The Hindu quoted him as saying: "If it comes to a direct attack on the Russian Federation — in this case we mean Kaliningrad, or maybe some other territories — of course, inevitably and immediately the question of Russian Federation using all weapons at the disposal of our country will appear on the agenda."

His remarks followed statements by several Russian embassies in Europe earlier in the week. The statements said Moscow has "information that Nato is preparing [an] air and naval blockade of Kaliningrad and [the] Kaliningrad region", according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP). This confirms the statements were issued. It does not confirm the allegation.

On 29 September 2026, the Russian Embassy in Ireland said Russia would be ready to use "all its arsenal, including nuclear weapons" if NATO countries tried to isolate Kaliningrad, according to The Hindu.

NATO spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed that Russia had sent NATO a written message and that NATO had replied. According to The Hindu, the reply also urged Russia to stop its "unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine".

According to SCMP and The Hindu, Putin repeated that Russia does not plan to attack European countries. The Hindu reported that he did not say whether nuclear weapons would be used. He said Russia has arms that "no one else has". According to The Hindu, he also said "everything is written correctly" in the earlier warning.

Kaliningrad lies between NATO members Poland and Lithuania. According to The Hindu, it hosts Russia's main Baltic navy base, and nuclear-capable Iskander missiles are deployed there. The newspaper also reported that NATO allies have held exercises in the Baltic Sea region in recent months, with more planned for October.

What is disputed

Russia says NATO is preparing a blockade of Kaliningrad. NATO says it is not targeting the region. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not describe any evidence for the blockade claim.

What each side says

• Putin: The West is escalating tensions through war talk, Baltic drills and seizures of Russian vessels. The Hindu quoted him as saying: "It's not intimidation, it's a response to an attempt to intimidate us."
• NATO (Hart): "We strongly denounce the threat of force, including any irresponsible nuclear rhetoric."
• Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary-General: According to The Hindu, he said on 30 September 2026 that NATO's reply was "short and concise". He told Euronews that Russia is trying to divide allies, and that the best response is more support for Ukraine.
• European leaders and intelligence services: Russia could be ready to strike another country within a few years, according to The Hindu. Moscow calls such allegations "absurd".

SCMP and The Hindu carry largely identical text. The reports do not include the full Russian message or NATO's reply.

Analysis

The exchange shows how Kaliningrad remains a sensitive point between Russia and NATO. Russia frames its warnings as a response to Western pressure. NATO frames its Baltic activity as defensive. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include the full texts of the Russian message or NATO's reply, so their complete content cannot be assessed from these reports. Possible scenarios range from the rhetoric easing to further statements around the NATO exercises planned for October. Much may depend on how both sides communicate during those drills. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi come from a single shared origin, so independent confirmation of some details remains limited.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.