Putin gathers warships with hypersonic missiles in Baltic Sea amidst warning ‘Vlad is set to attack Nato in weeks’

A NIGHTMARE scenario is looming over Europe as a Russian frigate with nuclear-capable hypersonic missiles on board has arrived in the Baltic Sea. Capable of long-range strikes as well as anti-submarine warfare, Admiral Kasatonov is the second vessel sent by the Kremlin to the vital area. Putin, left, and Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov, visit the newest frigate “Admiral of the fleet Kasatonov” on December 11, 2023 Credit: AP HMS Mersey (R) tracking Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich (L) and Kilo-class submarine Krasnodar (C-in distance) in UK waters at sea on April 9, 2026 Credit: AFP The warship was observed off the German island of Fehmarn, weeks after destroyer Admiral Levchenko was also spotted in the region. The island lies close to the Danish straits, the main passageway linking the Baltic Sea to the North Sea and the Atlantic, and a chokepoint through which Russian ships transit toward open water. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Both vessels are armed with cruise and hypersonic missiles. Constructed in 2020, Admiral Kasatonov carries a 130mm main naval gun, 16 vertical launch system cells for Kalibr and Zircon cruise missiles, Redut anti-air missiles, torpedo tubes, and a Ka-27 helicopter. Meanwhile, Admiral Levchenko – a guided missile destroyer – boasts two SS-N-14 anti-submarine missile launchers. Their presence – within spitting distance of German, Danish, and allied surveillance – marks the latest escalation between Russia and NATO. Until recently, US intelligence believed Vladimir Putin would not provoke the military alliance – but the deployment of the warships backs a theory of a change of tune within the Kremlin. Just a few days ago, the Russian President threatened European states – including Britain – that take action against his shadow fleet oil tankers. Most read in The Sun A firefighter works to extinguish remaining hotspots at Ukraine’s largest book market in Kyiv, Ukraine, on August 17, 2026 Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Firefighters work at a site of a private house damaged during a Russian missile and drone strike, in the city of Chornomorsk, Odesa region, on August 17, 2026 Credit: Reuters “It’s nothing but piracy and robbery,” he said after the UK government defended the seizure of sanctioned tanker the Smyrtos. “If this is done, we will be forced to respond in kind … [Russia can retaliate] in any area where we see it as necessary and appropriate.” Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chair of the Russian national security council, has also threatened attacks on European ships. Referring to NATO countries that supported Ukraine, he said: “Russia has the right to attack any merchant ship belonging to an enemy state, whether in our or neutral waters, if there is sufficient suspicion that it is transporting cargo in the interest of the enemy.” This comes as Russia reacted strongly to possible transfer of a “substantial arsenal” of US weapons and ammunition held by Turkey to Ukraine. Such a transfer would cause “serious harm … to our bilateral relations with Washington and Ankara,” a statement from Russia’s foreign ministry said. Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said: “Attempts to use peace-promoting rhetoric while simultaneously supplying weapons to (Ukraine) inevitably erode mutual trust, especially against the backdrop of repeated assurances by Turkish officials that Turkey is avoiding ‘lethal’ deliveries to Kyiv.” The huge shipment includes 70 long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems. Possible threats on NATO include a cyberattack, sending armed groups to occupy territory or a limited incursion on the alliance’s eastern flank, the Wall Street Journal reports. Putin could test NATO with a possible attack at any point between autumn this year and 2029, the report said. Comment now