Military potential of the Russian Federation in the Kaliningrad Oblast

Potencjał militarny Federacji Rosyjskiej w obwodzie kaliningradzkim

ORCID: Ireneusz Topolski: 0000-0001-7152-8329

Afiliacja: Maria Curie-Sklodowska University in Lublin, Poland

Pages: 235–252

Edition: Lublin 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36874/RIESW.2025.3.12

Citation method: I. Topolski, Military potential of the Russian Federation in the Kaliningrad Oblast, „Yearbook of the Institute of East-Central Europe”, 23 (2025), issue 3, pp. 235–252, DOI: https://doi.org/10.36874/RIESW.2025.3.12

Abstract: The military potential in the Kaliningrad Oblast after the aggression against Ukraine is of great importance to the Russian Federation. The most important reasons for its development are economic, political, and military. The Baltic Sea is an important route for the transmission of energy resources, especially crude oil and, previously, also natural gas. After Finland and Sweden joined the North Atlantic Alliance, the deployment of armed forces in the oblast completely counteracts Russia’s isolation in this direction. The level of military potential in the exclave significantly exceeds its defensive needs. What is more, offensive systems predominate, including those covering means of delivering nuclear weapons. This creates a military threat to the countries of the region. The military potential in the oblast serves Russia by deterring the countries of the North Atlantic Alliance, whereas special units prepared to conduct hybrid operations compensate for the lack of land forces.

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