Experts: All indications are that there are nuclear weapons in Kaliningrad

At the same time, much is unclear about the location of tactical nuclear weapons, ie smaller nuclear weapons with a shorter range, in Kaliningrad.

Part of the game, as nuclear weapons are primarily a political weapon, says Jonas Kjellén, analyst at FOI.

- The infrastructure is in place, everything indicates that tactical nuclear weapons are stored there.

No evidence

But there is also no clear evidence of actual nuclear warheads in Kaliningrad.

- Of course, they do not let anyone in and show the nuclear weapons.

Until they fire a nuclear charge, we will not know for sure, says Lieutenant Colonel Joakim Paasikivi.

At the same time, he would be surprised if they do not have it in the area.

- They have upgraded the weapons bunkers in recent years and they have nuclear weapons carriers in the form of the robot system Iskander, it is covered.

Increased nuclear threat

Following the Swedish and Finnish NATO applications, Kaliningrad will have an even more important role for Russia as a last outpost sandwiched among NATO countries.

- I imagine that all countries in the immediate area are planning for the risk of operating with nuclear weapons from Kaliningrad, says Lieutenant Colonel Joakim Paasikivi.

And among the surrounding countries in the Baltics, there is great agreement: Russia has nuclear weapons in Kaliningrad.

Former Russian President Medvedev said that if Finland and Sweden become members of NATO, they will install nuclear weapons in Kaliningrad.

But this is nothing new.

They are already there, Lithuania's Swedish ambassador told the GP in April. 

The biggest threat?

As NATO expands, as Russia becomes increasingly pressured and relations with neighboring countries deteriorate, so does the risk of dangerous misunderstandings in the Baltic Sea air and sea areas.

This in turn can have serious consequences, according to Jonas Kjellén, analyst at FOI.

- The reality that Swedish pilots and ship commanders encounter out on the Baltic Sea is more direct and can be more serious than the somewhat abstract nuclear threat.