Russia Relocates Warplanes With Hypersonic Capabilities To Kaliningrad

Interfax has reported that the Russian Defence Ministry has relocated three MIG-31 warplanes with "Kinzhal" hypersonic missile capabilities to the Russia enclave of Kaliningrad and put on, "round the clock duty."

• The move will further exacerbate tensions in the Baltic region after a Estonia reported that it was subject to a massive cyber attack yesterday.
• Luukas Ilves, Estonia's undersecretary for Digital Transformation tweeted this morning: "Yesterday, Estonia was subject to the most extensive cyber attacks it has faced since 2007. Attempted DDoS attacks targeted both public institutions and the private sector."
• Cont: "The attacks were ineffective. E-Estonia is up and running... The attack has gone largely unnoticed in Estonia."
• The relocation of the jets and cyber attack is likely be in retaliation to Estonia and Lithuania's move yesterday to revoke visas for Russia citizens - a move which was opposed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. In Lithuania's case this would apply to all visas apart from on humanitarian grounds.
  • Visegrad 24: "Lithuania will stop issuing all types of visas for Russians apart for humanitarian visas for are who are actively persecuted. [Lithuanian] Foreign Minister [Gabrielius Landsbergis] says that just saying you are against Putin’s regime won’t be enough to be let in. You will have to prove persecution."
• Russia also raised fears of a second Kaliningrad crisis this week claiming that Lithuanian banks were blocking Russian payments for transit to the enclave.
• Sergey Ryabokon, Moscow’s acting chargé d’affaires in Lithuania: “I personally handed over a note on Šiaulių Bankas: please clarify, there is still time until September 1, after all you have solved the Kaliningrad transit issue, you have removed all tensions. [...] Then why are you preparing a second blow to cargo transit?”
• The Baltic states have emerged as the most hawkish European states on Russia. Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia have all withdrawn from the 17+1 diplomatic forum with China, in response to perceived support of Russia.
• Politico writes: "Baltic nations see less room for engagement with China as it parades a “no limits” friendship with Russia."