DISINFO: Europe plans a maritime blockade of Russia in the Baltics and the confiscation of Kaliningrad
SUMMARY
The EU and the UK have spent heavily on supporting Ukraine. To recoup their expenses, they need a Russian defeat, preferably followed by its disintegration, so they can profit substantially at its expense. This cannot be achieved without paralysing Russian oil exports in the Baltics. European countries are carrying out 'litmus test' detentions of Russian ships in light of a planned maritime blockade of Russia in the Baltics and the confiscation of Kaliningrad.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the West, its allegedly belligerent and hostile agenda and being involved in the war in Ukraine. Since Russia began its aggressive and unprovoked actions against Ukraine, Russian officials have accused European countries and NATO of a series of threats and hostile actions elsewhere, including the Baltic Sea area. However, no evidence has been provided to support this claim.
NATO is enhancing its military presence in the Baltic Sea to deter any future attempts by state or non-state actors to damage critical undersea infrastructure. These efforts are being carried out in accordance with international law of the sea, including the principle of freedom of navigation.
This claim was made in the context of measures being taken to enforce the sanctions on Russia imposed by the EU in response to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. On May 20th 2025, the European Council adopted the 17th package of economic and individual restrictive measures curbing Russia’s energy revenues that fuel its war of aggression against Ukraine, by heavily targeting Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ of oil tankers, their operators, as well as a major Russian oil producer.
The sanctions package targets Putin’s shadow fleet, doubling the number of vessels subject to port access bans and restrictions on a broad range of services. These restrictive measures aim to dismantle the fleet’s operational capacity, thereby reducing the oil revenues that fund Russia’s war economy.
Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and chair of the Foreign Affairs Council emphasised that:
“In this 17th package, we include Surgutneftegas - a Russian oil giant - as well as almost 200 vessels in Russia’s shadow fleet. While Putin feigns interest in peace, more sanctions are in the works. Russia’s actions and those who enable Russia face severe consequences. The longer Russia persists with its illegal and brutal war, the tougher our response will be.”
Our analysis of the recent communication strategy of pro-Kremlin outlets explains how they attempt to portray Russia as a victim and to deceive audiences into believing that Russia is fighting Western powers.
Read similar disinformation cases claiming, that "Baltic Sentry" is NATO’s maritime blockade to lock Russia in, that Scandinavia and the Baltic states are preparing to open a second front against Russia, that Finland wants to invade Russia in Barbarossa 2.0 operation, that the West turns Poland into another “Reich” for a new “Drang nach Osten”, that the West is aiming to open a second front against Russia, and that the EU announced a war on Russia, allowing Ukraine to attack targets in Russia.