Russia has threatened to “deploy its entire arsenal” if NATO threatens Kaliningrad, prompting a furious warning from the alliance as Moscow intensifies its attacks across Ukraine. NATO condemned what it called “irresponsible nuclear rhetoric” after Russia sent a warning to the alliance over its Baltic exclave.
NATO response
NATO spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed Moscow had sent a “non-paper” to NATO and said the alliance had responded by stressing that it is defensive and poses no threat to Russia. Ms Hart said: “I can confirm that Russia sent a non-paper to NATO and that we have sent a response, noting that NATO is a defensive Alliance and none of our activities or exercises pose a risk to any part of Russia.”
She added: “We strongly denounce the threat of force, including any irresponsible nuclear rhetoric. We call on Russia to end its unprovoked war in Ukraine.”
Attacks on Kyiv intensify
The extraordinary warning came as Russian forces stepped up attacks on Kyiv, with Ukraine facing a new wave of daytime strikes using jet-powered drones, which Ukrainian air defences have struggled to intercept. Russia launched ballistic missiles and dozens of drones at the Ukrainian capital, according to Ukraine’s air force.
The new drones are reportedly capable of flying too fast and too high for Ukrainian ground-based air defences to bring down, adding another dangerous dimension to Moscow’s bombardment. Russia also claimed it had struck two datacentres in Kyiv, a military-linked cargo vessel in the Black Sea and another vessel carrying military cargo at the Ukrainian port of Odesa.
The Russian defence ministry later said it had launched a drone strike against a ship in the Black Sea, which it claimed was carrying supplies intended for Ukraine’s armed forces.
Impact on Kyiv life
The escalating attacks have disrupted life across Kyiv, with Taras Shevchenko National University ordering students to remain at home and switching to remote teaching until at least October 16. The university said the decision was taken because of the “deteriorating security situation” in the capital.
Its main campus is close to the National Academy of Sciences, which was hit by a drone strike on Monday in an attack that killed one person. Further north, Russian glide bombs struck a school in Sumy, killing two people and injuring six, according to regional governor Oleh Hryhorov. Mr Hryhorov said three children were among those injured, while teachers and school officials managed to evacuate around 100 people.
Diplomacy and military spending
The Kremlin's nuclear warning comes against the backdrop of an intensifying military confrontation, although diplomatic efforts involving the US and Russia are continuing. Kirill Dmitriev, Russia’s presidential envoy for foreign investment and economic cooperation, held talks with US officials in Washington over a possible peaceful resolution to the war and potential US-Russia energy projects after the conflict.
Meanwhile, Russia is preparing to pour more money into its military. Fiscal documents obtained by Reuters showed Moscow plans to spend 17.1 trillion roubles (£202.58bn) on defence in 2027 – around 27% more than the 13.5 trillion roubles originally budgeted.
