Russian officials escalated threats against Lithuania on Friday, warning that the Baltic nation would come under the crosshairs of Moscow's nuclear arsenal if it proceeds with plans to host weapons from NATO allies.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Lithuanian territory would fall into the sights of Russian nuclear weapons if such arms are deployed there, describing the move as a serious escalation. Former president and current Security Council deputy chairman Dmitry Medvedev went further, claiming Russia would wipe Lithuania off the map and that NATO would not invoke Article 5 to defend it, as doing so would trigger global catastrophe.

The warnings came as Lithuania advances legislation to repeal Article 137 of its constitution, which bans foreign military bases and nuclear weapons on its soil. The change, supported by the president and major parties, requires a two-thirds majority in parliament and could take effect by early 2027. Lithuanian leaders have cited worsening security threats from Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine as the reason for the shift.

President Gitanas Nauseda announced the initiative in July, framing it as a way for Lithuania to become part of NATO's nuclear deterrence. Officials have stressed there are no immediate plans for deployment but seek the legal flexibility to respond to future threats. Lithuania, a NATO member since 2004, borders Russia's Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus, where Russia has already placed nuclear weapons.

The developments highlight Russia's pattern of nuclear saber-rattling against NATO's eastern flank as the alliance bolsters defenses in response to Moscow's aggression. Lithuanian officials maintain the constitutional update aligns with current geopolitical realities and does not violate international non-proliferation commitments.

No immediate reaction came from NATO headquarters, though alliance members have consistently affirmed collective defense obligations. The episode underscores the heightened tensions in the region following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.