The Kremlin is getting closer to opening its 'new eye' on Europe. Construction of a towering radar complex is almost complete in Russia's highly militarized exclave of Kaliningrad, according to reports. From above, the three radiating arms of the sprawling facility – each more than 500 meters long – look like some sort of alien lifeform has left its mark on an otherwise undisturbed stretch of forested nature reserve.
You could actually compare it to a landing platform or launch pad for Moscow's massive intelligence-gathering network. While Russia has not confirmed it is building the structure, security expert Vaidotas Malinionis said the radar will be so big, it will be able to see beyond the earth's curvature. The retired commander from Lithuania told DW the over-the-horizon (OTH) radar network near Gvardeysk will have a surveillance range of about 3,000 kilometers, allowing Moscow to peer into almost every corner of Europe, as well as right across Ukraine.
The system would reportedly allow Russia to intercept satellite communications and detect aircraft movements and ballistic missiles. "The goal and the purpose of this radar is observation of long-distance targets and early warning capabilities. We still don't know if it is operationally capable of doing that, but it is definitely being constructed right now," he added.
The British newspaper The Times reports that the systems are primarily intended for the detection and jamming of electronic signals – citing the Finnish-Polish space and defense technology company ICEYE. "They would be able to use it in offensive operations, to get more information about specific targets," explained Malinionis. "And if they were able to get an early warning about the movement of NATO troops, in the case of an invasion on NATO's eastern frontier, then they would gain more time for decision-making." Speaking to DW from the shores of the Baltic Sea, Latvian geopolitical analyst Evija Djatkovica warned there is a significant downside for NATO to this old Soviet technology being revived when it comes to the increased use of new tech in the warfare of today.
"It will help Russia close existing loopholes in detecting low-flying objects, making the rapidly developing integration of drones into regional defense doctrines less effective," she claimed. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The Times report goes on to say that ICEYE sees Russia's expansion of its OTH radar system as proof that Kaliningrad is being developed into a hub for advanced military sensors and electronic warfare systems. "The new radar signals an intensifying contest between Russia and NATO for military supremacy and control of the Kaliningrad region," Djatkovica underlined.
"This is a potentially dangerous situation, since further militarization on both sides could be expected and, at some point, a preemptive strike becomes an option to deny the other side an unacceptable advantage over the region,” she warned. Russia has already alerted NATO it would be ready to resort to nuclear weapons if the Western alliance attempted to blockade Kaliningrad. The potential flashpoint and Russian outpost is situated on the Baltic Sea, wedged between NATO member states Poland and Lithuania– on the very doorstep of the alliance's eastern flank.
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