Russia concerned over Kaliningrad security and Baltic Sea access, official says

Russia has grown increasingly concerned about the security of its Kaliningrad exclave and access to the region, prompting a military buildup in the Baltic Sea, a senior Lithuanian intelligence official stated on Saturday.

Julius Katinas, deputy director of Lithuania’s Second Operational Services Department (AOTD), told a NATO Parliamentary Assembly committee meeting in Vilnius that Russia is reinforcing its forces in the Baltic Sea, particularly to protect its shadow fleet—a network of vessels used to evade Western sanctions.

“Russia is worried about its access to Kaliningrad, its operations in the Baltic Sea, and the security of critical infrastructure there, especially potential threats from Ukraine,” Katinas said. He noted that Moscow has expanded its military presence in the region, negatively impacting Baltic security.

The official highlighted Kaliningrad’s strategic role as Russia’s only ice-free Baltic port and a key logistics hub supporting military operations in Syria and Africa. “Fifty percent of Russia’s oil exports pass through the Baltic Sea, making it vital for Russia’s budget security,” he added.

Katinas also warned that Russia has deployed GPS jamming technology in the Baltic Sea, disrupting civilian navigation and aviation. Lithuanian citizens and ornithologists have reported interference with GPS signals, affecting maritime activities and bird migration tracking.

While Russia has reduced its ground forces in Kaliningrad due to the war in Ukraine, Katinas cautioned that Moscow is undergoing a long-term military reform, which includes strengthening the exclave’s defenses. “Once the war in Ukraine ends or freezes, Russia could redeploy significant forces from the Ukrainian front to the Baltic Sea region,” he said.

The remarks came during a NATO Parliamentary Assembly session in Vilnius, where regional security and defense reinforcement were key discussion topics.