Russia has warned NATO that it's prepared to use nuclear weapons to defend Kaliningrad in the event of an attack or blockade on the Baltic exclave by the Alliance. But NATO insists that it is not targeting
Kaliningrad, a region of Russia located between Poland and Lithuania in northeastern Europe.
Russia's inflammatory rhetoric follows a series of NATO multinational military exercises carried out in Lithuania that Moscow believes serve as preparation for an air and naval blockade on the city and the Kaliningrad region. The Alliance has refuted the claim and strongly denounced the Kremlin's threat of force.
While this war of words highlights the increased tensions in the region, the question is how far they could escalate. In this gallery, we examine the reasons behind Russia's extraordinary threat and highlight the history of Kaliningrad and how it became Moscow's most isolated and strategically vital outpost. Click on to continue reading.