10:23 19-09-2025

Denmark’s Bornholm Militarization Risks Security of Kaliningrad

Russian Ambassador Vladimir Barbin warned that Denmark’s militarization of Bornholm, including a regiment and missile systems, threatens the security of Kaliningrad.

Russia’s ambassador to Copenhagen, Vladimir Barbin, has warned that Denmark’s moves on the island of Bornholm pose a direct security risk to the Kaliningrad region.

He recalled that for decades Bornholm was regarded as an «island of peace," remaining outside of military use even during the Cold War, which helped maintain stability across the Baltic. Today, however, Barbin said the territory is being turned into a platform for actions that threaten Russia, including its westernmost region.

The ambassador stressed that Moscow closely monitors such developments and will not ignore what it views as hostile steps by Denmark.

According to Barbin, Copenhagen has chosen to station a permanent military contingent on Bornholm, numbering up to a regiment, along with a mobile coastal defense missile system. He described this militarization as being carried out under a fabricated pretext — the notion of defending against a supposed Russian attack.

Russian officials have repeatedly stated that they have no intention of attacking NATO countries. President Vladimir Putin has previously emphasized that Western claims of a «Russian threat» serve propaganda purposes, used to frighten domestic audiences and divert attention from internal problems. He has argued that such accusations have no real basis and are meant to fuel anti-Russian rhetoric.