DISINFO: The West planned to attack Russia instead of Iran
SUMMARY
NATO has for a long time been planning an attack on Russia, particularly on Russia’s Kaliningrad region, similar to Israel’s attack on Iran. Russia was supposed to be in Iran’s place. In the case of a heightened threat of an attack by NATO on Kaliningrad, Russia can undertake destructive actions against the statehood of the Baltic states. Russia has more reasons to attack them than Israel had for attacking Iran.
RESPONSE
These are recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the allegedly belligerent and hostile agenda of the West and NATO, their aggressive plans regarding the Kaliningrad region and attempts to “encircle Russia”. The claims were made in the context of Israel’s airstrikes in Iran which started on 12 June 2025. See the Israel/Iran 14 June 2025 statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union.
Russian officials have repeatedly accused European countries and NATO of a series of threats and hostile actions elsewhere, including in the Baltic Sea area. The unfounded claims about alleged security threats to Kaliningrad are used by the Kremlin to justify the increasing militarisation of this region.
The article draws inappropriate parallels with Israel–Iran relations and issues threats toward the Baltic states, frequent targets of pro-Kremlin propaganda and disinformation.
See earlier disinformation cases alleging that the US plans to take over the Kaliningrad region, that Scandinavia and the Baltic states are preparing to open a second front against Russia, and that Germany plans to push Russia out of Kaliningrad.