Russia is no longer just threatening NATO. It is running a live hybrid war on Europe’s doorstep. In this exclusive interview, former Lithuanian intelligence chief Darius Jurgelevičius joins Kyiv Post’s Jason Jay Smart to explain why the so-called “Kaliningrad Fortress” functions as a launchpad for pressure, provocation, and potential attacks against the West.
Amb. Jurgelevičius and Smart break down recent drone incursions and balloon surveillance over the Baltic states as deliberate tests of NATO air defense reaction times. We also map the strategic danger of the Suwalki Gap, a roughly 60 mile (96 km) corridor that Moscow could target to sever the Baltic nations from the rest of NATO and spark direct military escalation.
This conversation goes beyond headlines to examine reports of tactical nuclear signaling in the region and what it would mean for deterrence and crisis stability. Jurgelevičius explains why hesitation in Western capitals is read in Moscow as opportunity, and how “gray zone” operations are being used right now, including electronic warfare, sabotage, and intimidation. This is a clear warning. Europe’s border defenses must adapt fast, before Russia turns testing into a breakout.
Interview conducted in Kyiv, Ukraine by Jason Smart.
#Russia #NATO #Kaliningrad #NuclearWeapons #KyivPost
