Kaliningrad is a strategically located Russian enclave on the Baltic Sea, squeezed between Lithuania and Poland. The area is cut off from the Russian mainland and only accessible by land through the so-called Suwałki corridor, a narrow strip along the border between Poland and Lithuania. This corridor is of great military importance because it forms the only land connection between the enclave and the rest of Russia.
From Kaliningrad, Russia has access to the port city of Baltiysk, one of the few Russian ports on the Baltic Sea that remains ice-free year-round. The military-strategic value of this port is considerable: it is an important naval base for Russian warships and from where Russia can conduct maritime operations in the region.
The American general emphasized that NATO has well-developed plans to act quickly and effectively in the region should Russia expand its military ambitions. The defense of the Suwałki corridor is also seen as a priority, as closing this corridor would significantly complicate a NATO response to Russian aggression.
NATO has long been concerned about the destabilizing role that Kaliningrad plays on the alliance's eastern border. The enclave is heavily militarized; among other things, there are long-range missiles and air defense systems. In the event of a conflict, Kaliningrad would be both a strategic target and a source of threat.
For several years, electronic attacks originating from Kaliningrad have been disrupting air traffic and navigation systems. Multiple countries around the Baltic Sea, including Poland and Lithuania, have reported disrupted radio communications and GPS signals.
In response to the statements by the American general, a Russian general warned that an attack on Kaliningrad would be considered an attack on Russia itself. He stated that any attempt to capture Kaliningrad would meet fierce Russian resistance and could possibly trigger a large-scale escalation.
The tensions around Kaliningrad did not arise out of nowhere. Earlier this year, a diplomatic conflict already arose when Russia closed the Polish consulate in Kaliningrad. This measure was taken in response to earlier Polish actions against Russian diplomats, further straining relations between the two countries.