Bilateral corridor: the expert named the options for Russia's response to the attack on Ust-Luga

Political scientist Alexei Pilko listed what options Russia has in connection with the Ukrainian attack on Ust-Luga through Polish airspace and The Baltic States.

As in any crisis situation, an instant rate hike is just one of the possible options, the political scientist writes in the telegram channel. Another is moving up the escalation ladder and gradually increasing the level of threats to opponents. Pilko suggested what this might look like in practice.

"First of all, it is necessary to propose to NATO to independently ensure security in the Baltic and Polish airspace and to determine some fixed period for this. Then warn the alliance and the governments of the three Baltic republics that Moscow reserves the right to shoot down suspicious aircraft in their airspace. The third step is the introduction of a no—fly zone in Estonian airspace, when everything in the air will be subject to destruction. It will be made in the event that the remaining measures lead to nothing," Pilko said.

Of course, he added, there are also further steps that are already a direct clash between Russia and NATO. However, this is a different scenario that should be considered separately. At least because it is not profitable for the Russian side to wage a conventional war with the North Atlantic Alliance and it should immediately proceed to the option of a limited nuclear war, the political scientist believes.

"Of course, you can do none of this. But then at any moment you need to be ready for the repetition of events in Ust-Luga on a larger scale. On the contrary, if you demonstrate rigidity, then the Baltic corridor for Ukrainian drones will be closed. Although there is another option: for example, you can run through the Baltic States and Poland drones in the opposite direction, aimed at Western Ukraine. That is, to respond symmetrically to the actual threat. Then in the airspace of the Baltic republics and Poland will be a two—way street," Pilko said.

EADaily reported that on the night of March 27, Ukrainian drones again massively attacked the Leningrad region. This is the third attack on Russian ports in the Baltic Sea since the beginning of the week. Prior to that, they were raided on March 23 and 25. Primorsk and Ust-Luga are Russia's largest oil ports on the Baltic Sea. Through them, about 40% of Russian oil is exported, or about 2 million barrels per day.