The US, British surveillance planes seen flying around Russia's Kaliningrad region
Spying activities frequently fuels tensions between NATO and Russia. This is currently the case in the Baltic, where US and British surveillance planes can be seen flying around the Russian autonomous region of Kaliningrad.
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Moscow, Oct5: Spying activities frequently fuels tensions between NATO and Russia. This is currently the case in the Baltic, where US and British surveillance planes can be seen flying around the Russian autonomous region of Kaliningrad. The surveillance is being carried out by RC-135W planes, which conduct electronic surveillance by surveying the electromagnetic spectrum in the vicinity in order to acquire intelligence.
Kaliningrad was formerly part of Ostpreußen, Germany, and, before that, Prussia. Following World War II, the Soviet Union took over the territory in 1946. The exclave loomed large at the commencement of World War II since the lack of a land connection between Ostpreußen and the rest of Germany was a source of considerable friction with Poland. The Soviets removed Germans and moved in Soviet citizens in the late 1940s.
During the Cold War, Kaliningrad was physically connected to the rest of the Soviet Union via the Baltic States, but now that they are independent and members of NATO, the exclave is cut off and frequently targets NATO exercises.
Strategically, Kaliningrad is used to watch NATO operations, and Russia frequently threatens to place weaponry, including nuclear weapons, in Kaliningrad in response to US deployments in central Europe.
Active surveillance, such as that carried out by the United States and the United Kingdom, would be considered a provocation if carried out by Russia, and it is likely to be considered a provocation by Russia because it is being carried out against them.
NATO is nearly always chastising Russia in the region, amassing ever-increasing forces in the Baltic states and conducting ever-increasing military exercises centred on engagements with Russia in general and Kaliningrad in particular.
Strategically, Kaliningrad is used to watch NATO operations, and Russia frequently threatens to place weaponry, including nuclear weapons, in Kaliningrad in response to US deployments in central Europe.
Active surveillance, such as that carried out by the United States and the United Kingdom, would be considered a provocation if carried out by Russia, and it is likely to be considered a provocation by Russia because it is being carried out against them.
NATO is nearly always chastising Russia in the region, amassing ever-increasing forces in the Baltic states and conducting ever-increasing military exercises centred on engagements with Russia in general and Kaliningrad in particular.